7 of the best care homes in Essex

Essex, with its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and tight-knit communities, is home to some exceptional care homes that not only meet but exceed the expectations of families and residents alike.   

For those seeking high-quality care in Essex, the options are vast but finding a care home that offers a perfect blend of comfort, professional support, and a nurturing environment can make all the difference.   

In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the things to look out for when analysing whether a facility can provide this high level of support. We will also explore 7 of the best care homes in Essex, each offering its own unique approach to providing compassionate and luxurious care.   

Whether you're seeking a vibrant, activity-filled atmosphere or a quiet, tranquil setting, these top Essex care homes stand out for their dedication to ensuring the wellbeing and happiness of every resident.

What does Essex have to offer?

Living in Essex offers the perfect balance between urban living, charming beaches, piers, and serene countryside.

With its beautiful coastline, picturesque villages, and close proximity to London, Essex is an ideal place for those seeking a peaceful yet connected lifestyle.

The county boasts excellent transport links, making it easy to enjoy the cultural and professional opportunities of the capital, while still benefiting from a slower pace of life.

Residents can explore historic sites, stunning green spaces, and lively market towns, all while being part of a welcoming and close-knit community.

Whether you enjoy coastal walks, visiting heritage attractions, or embracing modern amenities, the county has something to offer everyone. So, if you are looking for 7 of the best care homes in Essex, there is hardly a better place to live.

What to look for when looking for care homes in Essex?

There are many fantastic care homes in Essex, but some stand out a little more than others. The most sophisticated care homes will combine high quality, compassionate care, with outstanding facilities, and a touch of luxury.

Below, we have outlined some of the key factors that can help you find some of the best care homes in Essex. This list is far from exhaustive, but it gives you an idea of some of the top-notch facilities that are out there.

High ratings

Autumna has also made it even easier to identify some of the best care homes at a glance with a single rating. This is known as OpenScore. While many careseekers have traditionally relied on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings for this purpose, it has previously been criticised for its out-of-date ratings and lack of transparency. However, OpenScore offers a more accurate, and up-to-date digital rating system which analyses care providers based on multiple factors. It is also the only rating system that covers care homes across the UK.

Exceptional care facilities

The best care homes in Essex offer exquisitely decorated, and luxurious facilities that go above and beyond the basics. Exactly what this entails depends on the facility in question but common examples include beauty salons, spa or therapy rooms, entertainment suites, in-house libraries and restaurants, plus much more.

Care home dream team

Premier facilities have a multi-skilled dream team of compassionate, knowledgeable and supportive carers, who are readily available to help residents with a variety of different needs.

These staff members will have many years of experience in the industry and specialise in assisting with the specific conditions that the residents have, such as dementia for example.

Uplifting and varied activity schedule

Top-rated care homes don’t just offer the occasional board game or television. Offering regular and stimulating activities can play a key role in assisting with cognitive development, mobility, and reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Some of the best facilities offer regular outings, pet therapy, comfortable, on-site cinema rooms, gyms and spa rooms.

High quality food

The food served in care homes play an important role in the health and hygiene of residents. The best care homes in Essex go beyond merely providing highly nourishing and nutritious food. Instead, they treat mealtimes as a work of art. Meals will be delicious, communal and enjoyable occasions where in-house chefs prepare freshly cooked food as part of a varied menu. This menu will typically be inspired by the preferences and cultural background of those who live in the care home.

The above considerations are just a snapshot of the things that make the best care homes stand out, but a facility that offers all or most of these is likely to offer a very high standard of care.

7 of the best care homes in Essex

Our selection below offers an insight into care homes in Essex which are known for their outstanding quality and commitment to high quality care. All of the care homes below have a strong OpenScore rating of 8 or above and are reputed for their high standards.

While competition for the best care homes in Essex is strong, the short list below gives you an idea of the level of sophistication that is out there.

Okeley Care Home

Not only does Okeley Care Home have one of the strongest ratings from our list of care homes in Essex, it also has one of the most picturesque and charming surroundings in the county.

Many of its ensuite and spacious rooms overlook its beautifully landscaped gardens and the care home is carefully designed to ensure that all who live within it lead fulfilling and independent lives.

As a prestigious member of the Excelcare Holdings brand, this 84-bedroom facility excels in person-centred care by providing a purpose-built range of amenities and activities that make it easy for residents to socialise and make friendships. Its in-house chef prepares a healthy and nutritious range of home-cooked dishes, which are based on individuals’ likes and dislikes as well as their culinary needs and cultural preferences.

Manor Lodge

As an outstanding and modern care home, staff at Manor Lodge take the time to get to know residents within its facility extremely well in order to create highly bespoke care plans. It is also known for providing a varied and fantastic range of amenities, including a cinema, library, activity room, salon plus an in-house physiotherapy gym. As a member of Care UK, Manor Lodge reflects the high standards that the care group is known for and has been accredited with the Gold Standards Framework Care Homes Programme.

Peverel Green Care Home

This exceptional care facility is a member of the Gold Care Homes brand and is one of the only other ones on the list that has achieved an OpenScore rating of 9, representing high quality care. As a luxurious and spacious facility, the grounds of Peverel Green Care Home spans 4.5 acres, and includes fully furnished bedrooms with expansive views of the gardens and nearby woodlands.

The care home also hosts a range of uplifting and fun activities such as live music, pet, music and dance therapy, plus arts and crafts. The care home also provides a dedicated activities coordinator that takes the time to get to know each of the residents and gets them involved in activities within the home. Peverel Green Care Home features everything from lush gardens to cosy lounges that are tastefully designed to inspire and uplift residents.

Anisha Grange Care Home

This outstanding and award-winning facility is a member of Hallmark Luxury Care Homes and offers a supportive and welcoming community geared towards helping residents maintain independence in comfortable surroundings.

Located just a stone’s throw away from St. John’s Church and local shops, Anisha Grange provides relationship-centred care and places residents and their loved ones’ needs at the heart of everything they do. Its amenities are second to none and feature a cinema room, therapy room, communal areas, outdoor spaces and a garden cafe which serves a selection of freshly baked treats.

Moat House Care Home

Located in the heart of Great Dunmow, Essex, Moat House Care Home has been specially designed to provide a comfortable and luxurious environment for residents to relax.

As a contemporary member of the Country Court Care Home group, it features 60 bright and airy bedrooms that can be personalised according to the specific tastes and preferences of its residents. The care home provides a combination of round-the-clock hospitality, fine dining, and exceptional, bespoke care.

Longmead Court

Situated in the picturesque village of Black Notley on the outskirts of Braintree, Longmead Court is a 52-bed nursing home that offers first-class care in stunning surroundings. The home is known for its immaculately manicured grounds with beautiful views of the local countryside.

It also features a comprehensive range of activities to keep residents active and engaged. Activities range from pet therapy, entertainment, religious services, board games and visiting local tourist attractions.

Braintree Mews

Conveniently located in the heart of Braintree in Chelmsford just 15 minutes from the town centre, Braintree Mews is one of the latest additions to the growing portfolio of the Avery Collection brand. It features 75 luxurious furnished bedrooms, extensive activities, therapy suites, a library and comfortable lounges.

Residents can enjoy a pampering session in the hair salon, a classic film in the cinema room and freshly cooked food. The care home itself is exquisitely decorated, with everything from the comfortable bedrooms to the therapy suites and outdoor spaces exuding luxury and high-quality care.

How to find the best care homes in Essex

If you are looking for the ideal care home that provides luxurious, person-centred care and amenities, Autumna makes it easy and simple to find one. All you need to do is head over to our search directory and enter your chosen location to view our extensive shortlist of care homes in Essex.

You can also answer a few questions and our Shortlisting Tool can generate a more bespoke list of providers based on your answers. Our friendly and knowledgeable advisors are on-hand to offer additional help on 01892 335 330.