Birling House
Birling House is a residential care home in Snodland, Kent (ME6 5AN). It holds a CQC rating of Good.
About Birling House
Birling House is a residential home in Snodland supporting adults with a learning disability, autistic adults, and people living with a physical disability. We offer permanent places and respite stays. We run this as somebody's home rather than as a service they happen to live inside. The people here have their own routines, their own interests and their own firm views about how the house should work, which is exactly as it should be. Support is built around each person: what they want to do with their time, the help they need to do it, and the parts of life they would rather manage themselves without us hovering. Some people here need a great deal of support and others need very little. Knowing which is which, and being willing to step back rather than take over, is a large part of doing this job properly. Communication gets close attention from us. A great deal of what goes wrong in support for autistic people and people with a learning disability comes down to somebody not being understood or not being given the time they need. We learn how each person communicates and we work at their pace. Respite stays give family carers a genuine break while the person staying gets a change of scene on their own terms. Our most recent overall rating from the Care Quality Commission is Good. Families and professionals are welcome to visit and see how the house runs.
Care provided at Birling House
- Learning disability and autism support
- Physical disability support
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 18 June 2025
Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.
How Birling House compares in Tonbridge and Malling
Measured against the 18 care homes registered in Tonbridge and Malling. The dark dot is this home.
- Size
- 29 places. Smaller than 11 of the 18 homes. The local average is 50 places.
- CQC rating
- Good. 13 of the 18 homes (72%) are rated Good or Outstanding. Across Kent the figure is 73%.
- Latest report
- 18 June 2025. 4 of the 18 homes have published a newer inspection report since.
- Registered
- January 2011. 13 of the 18 homes registered more recently.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Data: CQC register and Food Standards Agency ratings. Counts cover registered care homes in Tonbridge and Malling.
The local picture: Tonbridge and Malling
What the numbers say about care for older people in Tonbridge and Malling, in Kent.
What care costs in Kent, per week
| Type of care | What the council pays | What self-funders are typically asked |
|---|---|---|
| Residential care | £1,187 | £1,409 to £1,600 (Middle half of prices from 22 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing care | £1,378 | £1,550 to £1,865 (Middle half of prices from 11 Kent homes. Median £1,605.) |
| Residential dementia care | Not published separately | £1,500 to £1,619 (Middle half of prices from 18 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing dementia care | Not published separately | £1,975 to £2,226 (South East figure, because too few Kent homes publish this price. 37 homes. Median £2,050.) |
Published prices are often starting prices, and come from homes that publish fees, so treat them as a guide. Ask the home for its own price.
- People aged 75 and over: 14,300. Rising to 16,100 by 2035, up 13%
- People aged 85 and over: 3,800. Rising to 5,600 by 2035, up 48%
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 1,800. Rising to 2,300 by 2035, up 24%
- Dementia diagnosis rate: 48%. The NHS ambition is 67%. Kent as a whole is 62%.
- Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 58. Kent average is 77.
- Care homes, last 12 months: 1 opened, 1 closed
- Care home beds filled across Kent: 88%. The 12 month average is 88%.
- Who pays, across Kent (estimate): 35% council, 43% self. The rest is NHS funded or other.
Planned and recent building work within 5 miles
- 2.8 miles: Land South Of Innovation Centre Medway Maidstone Road Chatham Medway. Application for a 80 bed care home. Submitted 1 July 2026. Decision not yet recorded.
- 3.5 miles: Land Adjacent To 419 Walderslade Road Walderslade Chatham Medway. Application for a 35 bed nursing home. Submitted 16 June 2026. Decision not yet recorded.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Market model built 22 October 2026 (ONS 2022 based population projections, dementia estimates, CQC register), published care home prices, council planning records.
Good to know about Birling House
Facts from public registers, and what is close by.
- Registered with CQC
- 21 January 2011, so 15 years.
- Run by
- The Mortimer Society, which runs 2 adult social care services in England. All 2 that have a rating are rated Good or Outstanding.
Sources: CQC register, Food Standards Agency, OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances are in a straight line from the postcode, not walking or driving routes.
Local services near Birling House
The closest places to this home, measured in a straight line from its postcode. They are the nearest, not necessarily the ones the home uses. Ask the home which GP, dentist and pharmacy its residents are registered with.
Nearest 24 hour A&E
- Maidstone Hospital, Maidstone, 4.2 miles away
It is about 4.2 miles in a straight line from the postcode. The drive is usually longer. In an emergency call 999; the ambulance may take you elsewhere.
Nearest GP practices
- Snodland Medical Practice, 0.3 miles away
- Riverside Medical Practice, 1.3 miles away
- Phoenix Medical Practice, 1.4 miles away
Nearest dentists
- Colosseum Dental (Snodland), 0.1 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Larkfield Health Centre, 2.1 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Larkfield Dental Practice, 2.1 miles away (NHS.uk details)
Nearest pharmacies
- Paydens Pharmacy, 0.2 miles away
- Catts Pharmacy, 0.3 miles away
- Tesco Instore Pharmacy, 1.3 miles away
Nearest railway stations
- Snodland Station, under 0.1 miles away
- New Hythe Station, 1.2 miles away
- Halling Station, 1.6 miles away
Around Birling House
- H: Birling House
- A: 24 hour A&E
- G: GP practice
- D: Dentist
- P: Pharmacy
- S: Railway station
Straight line distances, not routes. Places very close to the home are spread out slightly so they can be told apart.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Practice and pharmacy details from the NHS England Organisation Data Service. A&E sites from NHS England A&E data and the Organisation Data Service. Railway stations from the Department for Transport NaPTAN dataset. Distances are straight line and approximate.
Common questions about Birling House
Where is Birling House located?
Birling House is a residential care home in Snodland, Kent, ME6 5AN. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does Birling House provide?
Birling House is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Learning disability and autism support, Physical disability support, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is Birling House's CQC rating?
Birling House is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Good following its last inspection on 18 June 2025. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does Birling House offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. Birling House offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about Birling House
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
No. Birling House is not listed for dementia care on the CQC register. If dementia is likely, choose a home that is, so a second move is not needed later.
Is there a nurse on site if health needs change?
No. Birling House is a residential care home without on-site nursing. District nurses and GPs visit, but someone who needs daily nursing may have to move to a nursing home.
Can they try a short stay before deciding?
Yes. Yes. Birling House offers respite and short stays, which is a good way to see whether the home is the right fit.
Will they support end of life care, so there is no move at the hardest time?
Ask the home. End of life care is not listed on the register. Ask the manager whether residents can remain in the home with hospice or district nurse support.
Can she bring her cat or dog?
Ask the home. The home has not told us its pet policy yet. Ask directly; some homes allow small pets in residents' rooms or welcome visiting dogs.
Can a couple stay together?
Ask the home. We do not know whether the home has rooms for couples. Ask about shared or adjoining rooms if this matters.
Will the council help pay, or is it self funded only?
Ask the home. The home has not told us which funding it accepts. Most homes take both council funded and self funded residents; ask about council rates and any top up.
Do they take younger adults as well as older people?
Ask the home. The register does not say which age groups the home supports. Ask the home.
Can I visit before deciding, and are there visiting hours?
Ask the home. Every home should welcome a visit. Call to arrange one, ideally at a mealtime or during an activity, and ask about visiting hours for family.
Typical weekly fees in the South East
Birling House has not published its fees yet. These are typical weekly fees for the South East, so you know roughly what to expect before you call.
- Residential care: £1,100 to £1,450 per week per person, typical range
Indicative figures for the South East, not a quote from Birling House. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
Explore more
More care homes in Snodland
- Pilgrims View — CQC Good
Browse all care homes in Snodland.