Care Homes in Sunderland

Choosing a care home for a parent, partner or yourself is a big decision, and it often has to be made quickly, after a hospital stay or a change in health. Every care home in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator, which inspects homes and publishes a rating of Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. This guide lists seven care homes in Sunderland, Washington and Houghton-le-Spring that held a rating of Good or Outstanding in the CQC's published ratings data in November 2026, with the date each rating was published. Ratings can change after a new inspection, so always check the home's current report on cqc.org.uk and visit in person before deciding. Inclusion here is not a recommendation over homes we have not listed.

Residential or nursing care

Care homes fall into two broad types. A residential home provides accommodation and personal care, such as help with washing, dressing and medicines. A nursing home provides the same, but with a qualified nurse on duty at all times, for people with more complex health needs. Some homes also specialise in dementia care. The CQC entry for each home shows which services it is registered to provide.

Holly House Care Home, Washington

Holly House Care Home on Albany Way in Washington is a residential home rated Outstanding by the CQC, with the rating published in March 2026. It is registered to care for older people and younger adults, including people living with dementia, mental health needs or physical disabilities.

Best for: Suits families in Washington looking for residential care, including dementia care.

Bede House, Ryhope

Bede House is a nursing home at 1 Ryhope Street South, in the village centre of Ryhope. It was rated Outstanding by the CQC, with the rating published in October 2025.

Best for: Suits people needing nursing care who want to stay close to Ryhope and the south of the city.

Grangewood Care Centre, Shiney Row

Grangewood Care Centre is on Chester Road at Shiney Row, between Houghton-le-Spring and Penshaw. It is run by Care UK and was rated Good by the CQC in March 2026. Its own website has details of the care it offers and how to arrange a visit.

Best for: Suits families in Houghton, Shiney Row and Penshaw who want to compare a larger provider's home.

Bryony Lodge Nursing Home, Leechmere Road

Bryony Lodge Nursing Home is on Leechmere Road, on the south side of the city. It is part of the Memory Lane Care Homes group and was rated Good by the CQC in May 2026.

Best for: Suits people needing nursing care in Grangetown, Ryhope and Tunstall.

St Marks Nursing Home, Hylton Road

St Marks Nursing Home is at 145 Hylton Road in Millfield, on the west side of the city. It was rated Good by the CQC, with the rating published in June 2026.

Best for: Suits families in Millfield, Pallion and the west of the city who want to visit often.

The Village Care Home, South Hylton

The Village Care Home is on Hylton Bank in South Hylton, by the river on the western edge of the city. It is a residential home registered to support older people, including those with dementia, mental health needs or physical disabilities, and was rated Good by the CQC in October 2026.

Best for: Suits people in South Hylton, Pennywell and Ford looking for residential or dementia care.

Springfield Care Home, Houghton-le-Spring

Springfield Care Home is at Bunker Hill, on the edge of Houghton-le-Spring. It is a residential home and was rated Good by the CQC, with the rating published in October 2025.

Best for: Suits families in Houghton, Fencehouses and Newbottle.

Assessments and paying for care

If you or a relative may need a care home, start by asking Sunderland City Council's adult social care team for a needs assessment. It is available to anyone, whatever their savings, and looks at what support is needed. Contact details are on the council website. If a care home is the right option, the council will then carry out a financial assessment to work out how much you should contribute. People with savings and assets above a national threshold usually pay for their own care, and the value of a home can be counted in some circumstances. Do not sell a home or end a tenancy until the council has made its decision.

People with complex health needs may qualify for NHS continuing healthcare, which is arranged and paid for by the NHS, and people in a nursing home may get a contribution from the NHS towards the cost of their nursing care. The NHS guide to care homes explains the options in more detail. Charities such as Age UK and Independent Age also offer impartial advice on funding.

When visiting, ask about staffing at night, how the home supports people with dementia, what activities are offered and how the home keeps families updated. If a loved one has died and you need practical help, see our guide on what to do when someone dies in Sunderland.

Know a care home we should add? Get in touch.