Best Care Homes in Dorset (2026)
115 care homes compared by CQC rating, type, beds, and specialisms.
Care Home Comparison Table
| Care Home | Rating | Type | Beds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coneygar Lodge | Outstanding | Residential | 22 |
| Harbour House | Outstanding | Residential | 35 |
| Nazareth Lodge | Outstanding | Residential | 24 |
| Fernhill | Outstanding | Nursing | 58 |
| Abbey View | Outstanding | Nursing | 52 |
| Amberwood House | Outstanding | Nursing | 55 |
| Foxes Moon Residential Home | Good | Residential | 31 |
| Kings Park Care Home | Good | Residential | 68 |
| Highgrove Care Home | Good | Residential | 21 |
| Moors Manor Care Home | Good | Nursing | 66 |
| Broadwindsor House | Good | Residential | 24 |
| Wolfeton Manor | Good | Residential | 31 |
| Casterbridge Lodge | Good | Nursing | 35 |
| Spetisbury Manor | Good | Residential | 25 |
| Primrose Lodge Weymouth | Good | Residential | 38 |
| Danmor Lodge Limited | Good | Residential | 25 |
| Newstone House | Good | Nursing | 62 |
| Clarence House | Good | Residential | 29 |
| Fairlawn | Good | Residential | 64 |
| Buxton House | Good | Residential | 64 |
| Maiden Castle House | Good | Residential | 66 |
| Garden House | Good | Residential | 14 |
| Rodlands Care Home | Good | Residential | 21 |
| Forest Hill House Nursing Home | Good | Nursing | 36 |
| The Queen Charlotte | Good | Nursing | 51 |
| Chestnut Lodge | Good | Residential | 12 |
| Heathcote Care Home | Good | Residential | 17 |
| Somerleigh Court | Good | Nursing | 40 |
| Holmwood Rest Home | Good | Residential | 16 |
| Waterloo Care Home | Good | Residential | 36 |
| Castle View | Good | Nursing | 57 |
| Grove Lodge | Good | Residential | 22 |
| Weymouth - Weymouth Care Home | Good | Nursing | 36 |
| Park House | Good | Residential | 20 |
| Encompass Care Respite Accommodation and Outreach Service | Good | Residential | 8 |
| Two Wells | Good | Residential | 4 |
| The Hyde Care Home | Good | Residential | 28 |
| Shire House Care Home | Good | Residential | 22 |
| Parley Place Care Home | Good | Residential | 68 |
| Streets Meadow | Good | Residential | 60 |
Showing top 40 of 115. See all →
Choosing a Care Home in Dorset
With 115 care homes in Dorset, families have 98 well-rated options to choose from. 8 homes currently require improvement — always check the latest CQC inspection report before visiting. The area has 35 nursing homes for people with complex medical needs, alongside 80 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.
Dorset care homes offer specialist support for residential care, dementia care, physical disability care, sensory impairment care and more. Use the links below to filter homes by care type.
Specialist Care in Dorset
Top Dementia Care Homes in Dorset
Helpful Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many care homes are in Dorset?
Dorset has 115 CQC-registered care homes with a combined 4,166 beds across the area.
How many Outstanding care homes are in Dorset?
Dorset has 6 Outstanding-rated care homes and 92 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 Dorset?
Dorset has 35 nursing care homes and 80 residential homes, including 73 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 Dorset?
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 Dorset?
Dorset 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.