The best care homes in Surrey

How to choose a residential care home

Nella Guagenti on the best  later living choices in Surrey 

The minute we become parents, the great research race begins. What magic must we conjure up to get our child into the most popular school? And yet, when it comes to those in the evening of life – our elderly parents in need of a care home – information is somewhat scarce. Aside from the differences between nursing, residential and dementia care, care homes come in all shapes and sizes: some specialise in physical disability, end of life care or luxury living. There are big ones, small ones, ones with fabulous gardens and others with action-packed activity calendars. 

So here, to point you in the right direction, are a few local homes rated outstanding by the CQC...

Jubilee House

📍Pound Lane, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1BX

Best for: Overall outstanding care

• Beds: 48
• Cost: £1,289 per week for residential and respite, £1,354 for dementia, £1,509 for nursing
• Type: Residential, dementia, nursing, end-of-life care and respite.

Recognised by the COC as 'outstanding' in many areas, Jubilee House boasts highly skilled nurses and carers who also benefit from ongoing specialist training from the company's trainers, especially around dementia care.

The home's circular layout is designed for freedom of movement and stress-free independence. Both floors have easy access to outdoor spaces and several quiet lounges.

Call 01483 420400.

Home of Compassion

📍58 High Street, Thames Ditton, Surrey KT7 0TT

Best for: Historic grandeur

• Beds: 58
• Cost: £1,990 per week
• Type: Residential, dementia, nursing, end-of-life care and respite.

This Grade II mansion is set on the banks of the Thames, with lawns and flowerbeds extending to the riverside. Inside, much of the architectural grandness of the building has been preserved, with marble columns and plush armchairs by the fireplace.

There’s a good community feel – the hub of the home is the restaurant where residents, family and friends gather for chats, drinks and snacks. Residents are supported in defined units, each with specially tailored activities. One team is dedicated to helping those with advanced dementia.

Call 020 8339 3100.

Birtley House Nursing Home

Birtley House, Bramley, Guildford, Surrey GU5 OLB

Best for: Country house living

• Beds: 47
• Costs: from £1,865 a week
• Type: Residential, nursing, respite, luxury

This family-run home offers residential accommodation as well as independent living flats. But it's the extensive grounds that add the real wow factor: they include a bluebell wood, wildflower meadow, lake and pond, plus a secret garden, rose garden and kitchen garden. A haven for staff and residents alike, the grounds host local events that provide great opportunities for the residents to mingle with the community. No wonder the home won a national Caring UK award for Best Outdoor Environment this year.

Call 01483 892055.

St George’s Care Home

📍5 Byfleet Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1DS

Best for: Dementia care

• Beds: 58
• Costs: From £1,445 per week
• Type: Residential, dementia, nursing.

The specialist care team includes trained dementia carers, two nurses and two activity coordinators, available seven days a week. Residents are integrated across four units, overseen by a regular team, so everyone gets to know each other well. The purpose-built, one-level home affords easy access, with communal rooms – including a cinema – located in the centre. A secure garden runs around.

Call 01932 868111.

Arbrook House Care Home

📍36 Copsem Lane, Esher, Surrey KT10 9HE

Best for: End-of-life care

• Beds: 43
• Cost: From £1,850
• Type: Residential, palliative nursing, respite.

Rated ‘Outstanding’ for its personalised care in all areas, this home is exceptionally well regarded for its end-of-life care. Although not a dementia specialist home, it has many residents with the condition well integrated into the communal life. Mobile residents will want a ground floor room in the vast, glorious garden to grow veg, birdwatches or fish. Two flats on an upper floor are reserved for independent living.

Call 01372 468246.

Silvermere Care Home

📍Redhill Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1EF

Best for: Lakeside setting

• Beds: 72
• Cost: From £1,400 per week
• Type: Residential, dementia, respite

With extensive gardens overlooking Silvermere Lake, residents love strolling out to watch the wildlife. There is a potting shed for gardeners and secluded spaces for sitting outdoors. The layout is conducive to socialising, with open-plan cafes and TV lounges on each floor and a central lounge and library on the ground floor.

Call 01932 576650.

Moore Place

📍Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 9LH

Best for: Fabulous views

• Beds: 60
• Cost: From £1,550 per week
• Type: Residential dementia

Every bedroom in this new purpose-built home has a balcony that overlooks the golf course and uplifting views of the Surrey green belt. The garden is designed for easy access and is well-used in the summer for BBQ parties. Inside, open-plan communal spaces, cafe areas and comfy armchairs dotted about – along with the modern furnishings – create a solid feelgood factor.

Call 01372 478200.

Beauchamp Court

📍18 Beauchamp Road, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0PA

Best for: Small and intimate

• Beds: 19
• Cost: From £1,111 per week
• Type: Residential, dementia, respite

A friendly home based in a converted house close to Hampton Court Palace. A relaxed atmosphere – courtesy of the highly experienced staff – enables residents to walk out to the shops and nearby places of interest. In addition to the activity coordinator, an art therapist comes in once a week.

Call 020 8783 0444.

Signature at Esher

📍42 Copsem Lane, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9HJ

Best for: Social interaction

• Beds: 83 apartments
• Cost: From £1,176, dementia from £1,547
• Type: Residential, dementia, respite, luxury

You sense the lively buzz as soon as you enter this luxury care home. The large lobby boasts a cafe where residents can sit, read, play games, or watch the world go by. As at most Signature homes, there are various apartment options, each with an ensuite and kitchenette. Meals are served in the restaurant or cafe, while residents may also hire a private dining room – supported by the restaurant service – for special get-togethers. Six organisers plan an extensive daily programme of activities chosen by a resident committee.

Call 01372 410000.

Signature at Weybridge

📍Ellesmere Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0HY

Best for: Active days

• Beds: 113 apartments
• Cost: From £1,190, dementia care from £1,512
• Type: Residential, dementia, respite

A low staff turnover creates a happy, settled feel at this relatively large home. There are various accommodation options: a south-facing garden, a restaurant for dining, a cafe and a private dining room for special occasions. A busy programme of activities runs seven days a week.

Call 01932 871100.

Knowle Park Nursing Home

📍 Knowle Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 81L

Best for: Park walks

• Beds: 41
• Costs: from £1,890 depending on care needs and room
• Type: Residential, nursing and respite

Great care was taken during restoration to preserve Knowle Park's period features - and indeed, it retains the ambience of a traditional country house while boasting all the amenities of a modern home. However, the nine acres of stunning parkland opening out into the Surrev countryside sets this place apart. Residents are encouraged to take daily walks around the garden to soak up the extensive mews.

Call 0808 223 5518.

Pinehurst Rest Home

📍 Zig-Zag Road, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6BY

Best for: Small and intimate

• Beds: 18
• Costs: from £1,200 a week
• Type: Residential and dementia

This grand house has terraced gardens overlooking the spectacular environs of Dorking. It's rub by a mother and daughter, who maintain a friendly air of informality within the home. Residents move freely around the house and garden, while regular activities include drives out to cute pubs, cafes and local places in the town and Box Hill.

Call 01306 889942.

Claremont Court Care Home

📍Harts Gardens, Guildford, Surrey GU2 9QA

Best for: Living with dementia

• Beds: 57
• Costs: From £1,650 a week
• Type: Residential with dementia, nursing with dementia and end-of-life dementia

This specialist dementia care home run by CareBase is designed to make life easier for those with more advanced symptoms: rooms are colour-coded, and there are objects of interest displayed around the home. 

A knowledgeable and experienced team offers gentle, highly personalised care so that carers understand their residents and manage symptoms they may show at any given moment. Engaging weekly activities include bowling club visits and lunches out.

Call 01483 608502.

Broadwater Lodge

📍 Summers Road, Farncombe, Godalming Surrey, GU7 3BF

Best for: Animal lovers

• Beds: 67
• Costs: From £1,469 per week for residential, £1,534 for residential dementia care
• Type: Residential, dementia and respite

As the latest CQC report points out, this outstanding care home has a friendly, quirky vibe. The team of carers has found unique ways of enabling residents - most of whom have dementia - to be themselves and live their lives in a fun and vibrant way. There's an on-site farm - home to pigs, goats, sheep and chickens - where residents can help out. 

Call 01102 111106.

The Old Rector

📍 The Street, Ewhurst, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 7PX

• Best for: Respite stay
• Beds: 36
• Costs from: £1,869 per week, respite £2016 per week
• Type: Nursing and respite

The fee to stay at this gorgeous nursing home includes some luxuries, normally charged as extras, such as twice monthly hairdressing and manicures, chiropody, newspapers and toiletries. The Old Rector also provides its in-house physiotherapists. Many residents come through on a respite week or post-hospital visit.

Call 01483 267195.

Surrey Heights

📍 Brook Road, Wormley, Godalming, Surrey QUO JUA

Best for: Dementia care

• Beds: 27
• Costs: From £1,200 per week
• Type: Residential, specialist dementia, respite

A very experienced team is on hand to support residents with various types and stages of dementia. The carers can manage challenging behaviours and create a calm environment for everyone. An extension is planned for this year, which means that the garden will be out of use for the summer, but residents still have the conservatory for relaxation.

Call 01428 682346.

Woking Homes

📍 Oriental Road, Woking, Surrey GUZZ 7BE

Best for: Ex-railway workers

• Beds: 51
• Costs: From £780 for ex-railway workers and from £1,126 for non-railway workers
• Type: Residential, dementia, respite

A charity-run care home that prioritises older people with a rail industry connection. Non-railway workers are also welcomed.

Call 01482 762558.

Bramley House Residential Home

📍 Westcott Street, Westcott, Dorking, Surrey RH4 3NX

Best for: More mobile

• Beds: 16
• Costs: From £1,000 per week
• Type: Residential, dementia, respite and daycare

A big country house in the beautiful village of Westcott has been converted into a small, caring, family-run home with a fabulous and secure wraparound garden. Bramley House accents those who are mostly able, which allows for greater independence: residents are encouraged to live actively, take walks and join in day trips out.

Call 01206 740003.