Best Care Homes in Southampton 2026
81% of homes here are rated Good or Outstanding. See which are financially stable and where families report the best experience — so you can visit with confidence.
3 Recommended Homes — Free
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Find my 3 best matchesYour shortlist in 10 minutes
Three steps to a shortlist from 75 Southampton care homes.
Tell us what your family needs
Care needs, location, budget, and the priorities shaping your decision.
We match and screen the strongest options
We use your answers to identify suitable homes, then check inspection history, company finances, staff reviews, food hygiene records, and your local council's funding criteria.
Your report arrives
Free Shortlist within 10 minutes. Personalised Matching Report within 24 hours if you want deeper help choosing.
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Need independent deep analysis? See the Personalised Matching Report.
Southampton Care Home Market
Key figures for the local care home market, drawn from regulatory, financial, and food safety data
Based on official inspection reports
Residential care in Southampton
See full market data for Southampton
Across Southampton and surrounding areas
Southampton Care Market Analysis 2025
Southampton's over-65 population grew 8.2% since 2021, driven by post-retirement relocation to the South Coast.
Hampshire's largest care market gives families significantly more choice than neighbouring Portsmouth or Winchester.
Two major universities supply a steady pipeline of qualified health and social care graduates to local providers.
Care Homes by Southampton Area
Care homes across Southampton's neighbourhoods, analysed and organised by location
Bassett
Southampton's most sought-after residential area with spacious grounds and premium care homes set along the leafy Bassett Avenue corridor.
14 care homes available
Shirley
Well-connected suburban area with a strong mix of residential and nursing homes, offering good value close to Shirley High Street amenities.
13 care homes available
Bitterne
Large residential district east of the Itchen with a range of affordable care options and good bus links to Southampton General Hospital.
12 care homes available
Portswood
Vibrant area near the university with smaller, community-focused care homes and convenient access to local shops and green spaces.
10 care homes available
Woolston
Riverside area with waterfront care homes offering peaceful settings along the River Itchen, with regular ferry links to the city centre.
11 care homes available
Hedge End
Modern suburban area on Southampton's eastern fringe with purpose-built care facilities and strong CQC ratings across newer developments.
15 care homes available
All 75 Homes Analysed
Every care home in our Southampton database has been checked against CQC records, with current inspection reports and pricing information.
Why families in Southampton use RightCareHome
Independent analysis that puts your family first
Without independent analysis
- 75 homes to compare manually
- Outdated directory data from years ago
- Commission-driven recommendations
- Hidden quality and safety issues
With RightCareHome
- Top 5 homes matched to your needs
- 14,000+ care homes analysed
- 100% independent, zero commissions
- CQC trends and enforcement checked
What Your Report Includes
Based on your requirements for nursing care with dementia specialisation near Surrey, we have identified 5 suitable care homes. Oakwood Manor stands out as the top match.
- Oakwood Manor: Outstanding rating, excellent staff feedback
- Riverside Gardens: best value at 8% below area average
- Average weekly cost: £1,240 (5% below area average)
Best Quality
94%
Best Value
87%
Closest
89%
Overall status
Excellent
Average score
87/100
Our analysis found
Home 1 has the strongest staff feedback, but fees sit 12% above regional average. Home 3 offers equivalent care at a lower cost.
Match Profile
Funding Summary
Estimated funding range
£20,000–£40,000/year
See exactly this — personalised for your shortlisted homes
Get Your ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Care Homes in Southampton
Practical answers based on available local data and typical family concerns.
How many care homes are in Southampton?
Southampton has approximately 75 registered care homes for older adults, spread across the city from Bassett in the north to Woolston in the east. Hedge End on the outskirts adds further capacity with newer, purpose-built facilities.
What is the average cost of a care home in Southampton?
The average weekly cost in Southampton is approximately £1,000 for residential care, rising to £1,550+ for specialist nursing in premium areas. Bitterne and Shirley offer options from around £750/week, while Bassett and Hedge End sit at the higher end of the market.
Which Southampton areas have the best-rated care homes?
Bassett leads with 86% of homes rated Good or Outstanding by the CQC, followed by Hedge End at 84% and Portswood at 82%. The city's overall rating of 80% sits broadly in line with the South East regional average.
Does Southampton Council fund care home places?
Southampton City Council funds care at approximately £780/week for eligible residents, creating a gap of around £220/week compared to the local private average of £1,000. Self-funders should plan carefully as council-funded rates may limit the choice of available homes.
Still have questions?
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Get my free shortlistBased on official inspections, company accounts, and food hygiene records. Last reviewed May 2026.
More Care Homes Near Southampton
Compare care options in neighbouring areas
Start with the facts about care in Southampton. The rest gets easier.
A free Southampton shortlist of 3 homes takes 2 minutes. The full report with financial checks, review analysis and funding guidance is £119 — delivered within 24 hours.
5 quick questions, then your report arrives by email. No phone calls, no sales follow-up.
75 homes across Southampton — from Bassett to Hedge End. See which ones suit your family.
RCH Score methodology
How we rank care homes in Southampton
Score 0–10 · updated monthly
CQC inspections can be 2–4 years old. Our RCH Score combines the official inspection result with live signals — real reviews, quality trajectory, and financial stability — to surface homes that are performing well today, not just at the last inspection.
CQC inspection rating
40%The official Care Quality Commission rating — Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. The primary quality signal, but can be up to 4 years old.
Online reviews
30%Average star rating from verified public reviews across the web, weighted by volume. Reflects the day-to-day experience of residents and families. Only counted when 10+ reviews exist.
CQC trend
15%Whether the home's rating has been improving, stable, or declining across its last three inspections. An improving trajectory can offset an older rating.
Financial stability
15%Operational risk derived from Companies House filings — profit/loss trend, debt levels, and director changes. Financially stressed homes face higher closure and quality risk.
Rankings are calculated from public data only. We do not accept referral fees or paid placements from care homes.
The RCH Score is a decision-support tool, not a definitive ranking. Always visit a home in person and ask for the latest CQC inspection report before making a decision.
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All Care Homes in Southampton
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