Best Care Homes in Lancashire

Quality residential and dementia care across the beautiful Fylde Coast and beyond

Lancashire offers diverse care home options from coastal Blackpool to historic Preston, but finding the right balance of quality care, location, and value requires careful research. We’ve analysed CQC ratings, family feedback, and facility standards to identify the five best care homes across Lancashire, each offering different advantages for residents and families.

Top Care Homes in Lancashire

1. The Willows Care Home, Marton Moss

Living Developments | 39 Midgeland Road, Marton Moss, Nr Lytham, Lancashire, FY4 5ED

The Willows stands out as Lancashire’s premier boutique care home, offering exceptional residential and dementia care in a beautifully built for purpose setting near Lytham St Annes. With just 26 residents, this intimate facility provides genuinely personalised care that larger homes cannot match.

What Makes The Willows Outstanding:

• Boutique approach with only 26 residents ensuring individual attention and genuine relationships
• CQC ‘Outstanding’ rating reflecting exceptional care standards across all areas
• GOLD Investors in People award demonstrating commitment to staff development and excellence
• Platinum status in the Gold Standards Framework
• Unique personalised accommodation where no two rooms are identical
• Beautiful location in peaceful Marton Moss with stunning countryside views
• Ground-level design with no stairs or lifts to navigate
• Direct garden or patio access from each ensuite bedroom
• Full-time Lifestyle and Wellbeing coordinator creating meaningful daily activities

Best For: Families seeking truly personalised care in an intimate setting, those who value individual attention over large facility amenities, residents who would benefit from the peaceful Fylde Coast location.

Contact: 01253 693961 | Manager: Maxine Bosley

2. The Hamptons Care Home, Lytham St Annes

76-bed facility | Ansdell Road South

The Hamptons operates as a larger facility in the desirable coastal town of Lytham St Annes, offering residential, nursing, and dementia care.

Key Features:

• 76 en-suite bedrooms
• Located near Lytham St Annes beachfront with coastal access
• Multiple care types including nursing and dementia support
• Activities programme and organised events

Best For: Those who prefer larger facilities with multiple residents, families comfortable with corporate care environments, residents requiring nursing care alongside residential options.

3. Starr Hills, Lytham St Annes

Ansdell Road South, Lytham St Annes

Starr Hills serves the Lytham St Annes area, providing residential care in a more institutional setting compared to boutique alternatives.

Key Features:

• Standard residential care accommodation
• Located in established Lytham St Annes area
• Traditional care home approach with conventional programming
• Larger resident population than boutique alternatives
• Corporate management structure

Best For: Families prioritising CQC ratings over personalised approaches, those comfortable with traditional care home environments, residents who prefer structured institutional settings.

4. Cornmill Nursing Home, Garstang

Bonds Lane, Garstang, Preston

Cornmill provides nursing and residential care in the market town of Garstang, operating as a rural facility serving the Preston area with traditional nursing home services.

Key Features:

• Nursing and residential care options available
• Rural Garstang location away from coastal amenities
• Traditional nursing home environment and approach
• Standard corporate care procedures and programming
• Focus on medical care delivery over lifestyle enhancement

Best For: Those requiring nursing care in rural settings, families preferring traditional nursing home approaches, residents with significant medical needs requiring constant supervision.

5. Mansard House, Preston

28 Watling Street Road, Fulwood, Preston

Mansard House operates in the Fulwood area of Preston, providing care services focused on more institutional care delivery methods.

Key Features:

• Located in suburban Preston residential area
• Traditional care home management approach
• Standard facility amenities and programming
• Corporate care delivery model
• Limited personalisation compared to boutique alternatives

Best For: Families prioritising urban location convenience, those comfortable with corporate care standards, residents preferring Preston area over coastal locations.

What Distinguishes Lancashire Care Homes

Coastal vs Inland Settings

Lancashire’s geography offers unique choices between coastal locations like Blackpool and Lytham St Annes, which provide sea air and beachfront access, versus inland areas like Preston and Lancaster offering urban amenities and transport links. Coastal settings often provide therapeutic benefits through seaside environments, whilst inland locations may offer better access to medical facilities and family visits.

Scale and Personalisation

The county features both large corporate chain facilities with 60-100 residents and smaller boutique homes like The Willows with under 30 residents. Larger facilities typically offer more structured programming and comprehensive services, whilst smaller homes provide genuine personalised attention and individual relationship building.

Heritage and Community Integration

Many Lancashire care homes operate in historic buildings or established communities with strong local connections. Some facilities maintain active community partnerships, whilst others operate more independently from local life.

Choosing the Right Lancashire Care Home

Location Considerations

Coastal Access: Blackpool and Fylde Coast locations provide seaside therapeutic benefits but may be less accessible for families living inland. Consider whether coastal environments would benefit your loved one or if urban conveniences take priority.

Transport Links: Evaluate proximity to major roads like M6, M55, and M61 for family visits, as well as public transport connections for those relying on buses or trains.

Local Amenities: Consider access to healthcare facilities, shopping areas, and cultural attractions that might enhance quality of life or provide outing opportunities.

Care Quality Indicators

CQC Ratings: While many Lancashire homes achieve ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ ratings, examine full inspection reports to understand specific strengths and areas for improvement rather than relying solely on overall ratings. The Willows is proud of their ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating.

Staff Approach: Observe whether staff interactions feel genuine and personalised or follow corporate scripts and procedures. High staff retention rates often indicate better working conditions and more consistent care.

Individual vs Institutional: Determine whether the facility treats residents as individuals with unique needs and preferences or follows standardised approaches applied to all residents.

Size and Atmosphere

Boutique vs Corporate: Smaller homes like The Willows often provide more personalised attention, whilst larger facilities may offer more varied services and amenities. Consider which approach would better suit your loved one’s personality and needs.

Community Feel: Evaluate whether the facility creates genuine community atmosphere where residents know each other and staff develop real relationships, or operates more like an institutional setting.

Understanding Lancashire Care Home Costs

Weekly Fee Ranges

Lancashire care home costs vary significantly based on location, size, and care approach:

• Residential Care: £600-£1,200 weekly across the county
• Nursing Care: £800-£1,400 weekly where qualified nursing is provided
• Specialist Dementia Care: Often £50-£200 weekly premium above standard rates
• Boutique Care: Premium facilities may command higher fees but often provide better value through personalised attention

Funding Options

• Self-Funding: Most Lancashire homes accept private payments with flexible arrangements
• Local Authority Support: Lancashire County Council provides means-tested funding for eligible residents
• NHS Continuing Healthcare: Available for those with significant health needs – but it is getting more difficult for residents of residential homes to get this particular funding.
• Mixed Funding: Family top-ups can supplement local authority contributions for preferred facilities

Value Considerations

Compare what’s included in weekly fees versus additional charges. Some homes include comprehensive activities, outings, and personal services, whilst others charge separately for many extras. Boutique homes often provide better overall value despite higher base fees.

Questions for Lancashire Care Homes

About Personalisation and Approach

“How do you get to know each resident individually and adapt care to their preferences?” This reveals whether the home truly provides person-centred care or follows standardised procedures.

“Can you give examples of how you’ve accommodated residents’ specific interests or hobbies?” Look for concrete examples rather than vague promises about personalised care.

“What’s your staff-to-resident ratio during different times of day?” Higher ratios often enable more individualised attention and better care quality.

About Community and Activities

“How do residents spend their typical days, and how much choice do they have?” Understand whether daily life feels structured and meaningful or institutional and rigid.

“What connections do you maintain with the local Lancashire community?” Strong local partnerships often indicate genuine community integration rather than institutional isolation.

“How do you handle residents who prefer quiet time versus those who enjoy group activities?” This shows flexibility in accommodating different personalities and preferences.

Why The Willows Leads Lancashire Care

The Willows consistently receives outstanding feedback from families across Lancashire for several compelling reasons:

Genuine Boutique Approach: With only 26 residents, every person receives truly individualised attention that’s impossible in larger facilities. Staff know each resident’s preferences, history, and personality intimately.

Proven Excellence: The combination of CQC ‘Outstanding’ rating, GOLD Investors in People award and Platinum status in the Gold Standards Framework demonstrates commitment to both regulatory compliance and genuine care quality that goes beyond minimum standards.

Unique Personalisation: No two rooms are identical, and residents are encouraged to create personal spaces that reflect their individual tastes and memories rather than conforming to institutional standards.

Peaceful Fylde Coast Setting: The Marton Moss location provides tranquil countryside views whilst maintaining easy access to Blackpool amenities and excellent transport links for family visits.

Lifestyle-Focused Care: The full-time Lifestyle and Wellbeing coordinator ensures activities are meaningful and tailored to individual interests rather than following generic programming applied to all residents.

Family Partnership: The boutique scale enables genuine partnership with families, with direct access to management and personalised communication about each resident’s wellbeing and progress.

Making Your Lancashire Care Decision

Lancashire offers diverse care home options, but quality varies significantly between corporate chain facilities and genuinely personalised boutique homes. The key lies in determining whether your loved one would benefit more from comprehensive services in larger facilities or individualised attention in intimate settings.

Visit multiple homes to experience the different approaches firsthand. Pay attention to whether residents seem to know staff personally, whether activities feel meaningful or merely time-filling, and whether the atmosphere feels genuinely homelike or institutional.