The Firs Residential Home

33 West Hill, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6AE
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Top 20 carehome certificate
9.8 87 Reviews
  • The Firs Residential Home, Budleigh Salterton
Set in a peaceful location with leafy gardens and light-filled spaces, The Firs offers more than just a place to live – it’s a place to feel at ease. Residents can relax in the comfortable lounge, share time with others in the dining areas, or enjoy a quiet drink in the bar. With the scent of sea air drifting through the garden, the calm, unhurried rhythm of life here provides a true sense of retreat.

Each resident receives support tailored to their individual needs – whether for long-term care, respite stays, or recovery following a hospital visit. The care team is recognised not only for professional expertise, but also for warmth and thoughtful attention.

All bedrooms are en-suite, and there’s ample space to enjoy – from inviting communal lounges to the recently redesigned garden, featuring a pergola, greenhouse, and potting bench. The activities programme is inclusive and varied, offering something to suit every interest and energy level. Past favourites have included gala week bingo, ice cream in the sun, gardening club, creative crafts, and gentle reminiscence sessions.

Mealtimes are an occasion to enjoy, with seasonal dishes prepared by in-house chefs – nourishing, delicious, and made with care.

To learn more or arrange a visit to The Firs, please get in touch.
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Care Provided by The Firs Residential Home

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Physical Disability

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 38 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • Convalescent Care
  • Day Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees What's included?

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1400
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1400
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1400
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1400
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact The Firs Residential Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.

Contact The Firs Residential Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Contact The Firs Residential Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Emma Breslan (Registered Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Information

  • Mixed with both male-only and female-only unit(s)
  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No
  • Last Refurbishment: 2023
  • Number of floors: 2

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (38)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (38)

Visiting

  • No restriction on visiting times

Parking

  • Private parking on site available

The Firs Residential Home Reviews (87)

9.8

The Firs Residential Home has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.840) out of 10, based on 25 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Firs Residential Home has 87 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 71
  • 16
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Date Published
  • 87
  • 15
  • 18
  • 25
  • 62
Reviewer Connection to The Firs Residential Home
  • 37
  • 15
  • 7
  • 6
  • 4
  • 4
  • 2
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
Total of 87, showing 1-20
Review from Diana F (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 24 June 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I wanted to put excellent against many of these categories below but have had issues with nightstaff that are currently being addressed. My experience with the current manager is excellent and the day staff who treat me with kindness and respect and can't do enough for me.
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Review from Zoe A (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 June 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The care mum has received has been truly marvellous. Every member of staff has shown genuine kindness, patience and understanding, and they take the time to get to know her as a person. The activities programme is immense, varied, engaging and thoughtfully planned - and it has made a remarkable difference
to her well-being. We feel very grateful for the support she receives.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeHello Zoe
Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review, I will pass this on to all the staff.
Thank you
Emma
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Review from John B (Resident) published on 18 June 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very useful respite - I have made good progress and now able to return home thanks to the staff at The Firs.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeThank you for taking the time to write this lovely review, myself and the team thank you for choosing The Firs. I will pass this on to the team.
Than you
Emma
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Review from Sheila L (Resident) published on 12 June 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been here 2 weeks and settled in very well. The staff and Emma the manager have made sure I am so well cared for.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeDear Sheila
Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review, myself and all the team are so happy that you are with us.
Thank you
Emma
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Review from Karen P (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 June 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The transition to The Firs residential home has been very smooth. Mum has settled in very well, mum has been enjoying all the activities. The staff have been excellent and Emma has gone above and beyond to make sure mum feels happy and safe.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeDear Karen
Thank you for you lovely review, we are all so happy that you chose The Firs for you lovely mum.
I will pass your review to all the team
Thank you once again
Emma
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Review from J F (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 June 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Very friendly staff. Residents well cared for. Social meetings and activities amazing. Would be useful for relative to let themselves in/out of home. Less work for the carers.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeHello
Thank you for your lovely review
I will pass this on to all the team
Thank you
Emma
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Review from K F (Daughter of Resident) published on 5 June 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff are friendly, welcoming and experienced in the needs of older people: my mum needs alot of hands on support with toileting and self care. She is well cared for by the staff, she enjoys the daily activities provided every single day. She enjoys breakfast in bed and then being helped to the lounge
the home is well staff, well run and v. clean we are very happy with our experience.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeHello
Thank you for your possessive review and kind words, I am glad your mum enjoys breakfast in bed and all the activities our wonderful team provide.
Thank you
Emma Breslan
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Review from C K (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 May 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are more than happy with the care at this home. Our father is settled, feels safe and is happy - we cant ask for more. The day outs seem a firm favorite so more of those would be perfect.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeHello
Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review and your farther have settled into the Firs and taking advantage of all the activities we provide .
I will pass your lovey review to all the tam at the firs.
Emma
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Review from C G (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 May 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I find The Firs to be a very lovely, happy and caring home. They have activities, day trips and entertainment to amuse the residents. Our father is very happy here, he always tells us he is well looked after and that is the main thing. He loves the food, the staff and always seems well cared for.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeHello
Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review and my team are very passionate about enhancing residents lives with meaningful and personal centred activities.
I am so happy that you farther is happy with us and continues to be.
Emma Breslan
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Review from Jamie M (Friend of Resident) published on 26 May 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Allways frendy heldfull kind management and staff second to none would recconend hightly
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeDear Jaimie
Thank you for your lovely review, I will pass this on to my team.
Emma
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Review from J W (Resident) published on 22 May 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very happy at The First Residential Home. I have been here nearly 3 years. Food very good and plentiful. Staff very helpful and friendly, no complaints at all.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeThank you taking the time to write this lovely review
We are please that you chose The Firs and are happy here
I will pass this lovely review to all the staff
Thank you
Emma
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Review from A G (Friend of Resident) published on 22 May 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Firs is a lovely care home the staff are really friendly nothing is too much trouble for them. The manager is approachable and friendly. The home is very clean and very well decorated.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeThank you for taking the time to writing for writing this lovely review.
Emma
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Review from J C (Son of Resident) published on 15 May 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have no concerns whatsoever with the care home or staff.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeThank you for taking the time to submit you review card
Thank you
Emma
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Review from Clive L (Son of Resident) published on 11 May 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum come into The Firs last May 2025. I think its fair to say mum is very happy here. So if mum is happy we are all happy. She has a clear friend here called Hazel who was a former neighbour who she loves too. Mum always comments on how well she is looked after and the lovely staff. They do lots of
great activities. She is very happy.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeDear Clive
Thank you for your lovely review and we are so happy that your mum is happy and enjoying her life at the Firs with all the lovely friendships she has made.
I will pass on you review to all the staff.
Thank you once again
Emma Breslan
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Review from Paula M (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 January 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic from start - staff are amazing - kind. Attentive + warm. Great facilities + so much to do. Can't fault.
Reply from Emma Breslan, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeThank you so much for your review, We are so pleased you experienced an excellent rapport and service from the team. It has been a pleasure to see how your dad has thrived at The Firs.
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Review from Suzanne T (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 November 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team at The Firs are so kind and caring. They work extremely hard to make sure their resident's are looked after and there are plenty of activities for everyone to get involved in. Nothing is too much trouble and there is always a warm welcome. Everybody is treated as an individual not just a number
they are brilliant!
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Review from Paul C (Next of Kin) published on 6 August 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We had to put a family friend into a care home after struggling at home alone, she was very nervous and apprehensive about going into a care home, but from the moment she arrived she was made very welcome by the friendly staff and management team which put her mind at ease. She has settled in very
well and thoroughly enjoying the many activities that the home put on. She really looks forward to her favourite roast dinner. She is certainly living her best life. Amazing care home with amazing staff, would highly recommend.
Reply from Nicola Shayler, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeThank you so much for your review. We are so pleased your friend has settled in, the difference from when she first came to now is amazing, a totally different lady who is so happy, even made new friends. I will feedback your review onto the team at the Firs.
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Review from V M (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 29 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My nan spent 6 months at The Firs before passing away in April this year, the staff made her feel so welcome and so did the residents. The activity coordinators are amazing, so many varied different activities, my nan joined in with cooking, flower arranging, arts and crafts, bingo, knitting, all things
which hadn't been possible for her for years. The food at The Firs was lovely, with varied meals, multiple options. Staff always alerted us if they had any concerns, following all the correct procedures when she fell, or when she had a rash or a swollen leg, for example. Myself and my family I can't recommend The Firs enough.
Reply from Nicola Shayler, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeThank you so much for the lovely review, we are so pleased that your Nan was so happy at the Firs. We will pass on your kind words to the team.
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Review from Jacqui F (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 15 May 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Whenever we visit we are always welcomed and never made to feel in the way. Always offered a cup of tea and a room for chat. The activities they have are amazing, the food always looks lovely. The staff very accommodating and caring. The home has a lovely look and ambience about it. They ring you as
soon as there is a problem. I would like to think there's a home like this available if ever I needed it.
Reply from Nicola Shayler, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeThank you so much for your lovely review and kinds words.
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Review from Laurence F (Son of Resident) published on 15 May 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A fabulous place. I feel I am visiting Mum in her home, not a care home, she seems so comfortable. Who wouldn't though, with such kind, attentive and polite carers. And the food! What a selection on the menu. Walking around, there is so much on the walls to make you stop look and interact with Mum rather
than just walk between rooms. It's as good as you could want for your mum.
Reply from Nicola Shayler, Manager at The Firs Residential HomeThank you so much for your lovely review and kinds words.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.840)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.840) out of 10 for The Firs Residential Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 25 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 25 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.840 for The Firs Residential Home is calculated as follows: ( (253 Excellents x 5) + (46 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 300 Ratings = 4.84
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for The Firs Residential Home is based on 25 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 38 registered maximum number of service users is 7.6, which has been reached with 25 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 20 Dec 2022

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Good
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England. View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (8)

Meet the Team (1)

Emma

Emma Breslan

Job Title: Registered Manager Joined: 2026

Emma is a highly experienced care professional with over 25 years in the care industry.


She has recently worked as a turnaround manager. She has achieved Outstanding ratings in previous care homes and was proud to be recognised in the Top 20 Care Homes in the UK awards. Known for her pure dedication to providing the highest possible standard of care, Emma has successfully managed and inspired some of the most effective and compassionate teams in the sector.


Emma lives locally in Lympstone village in Devon and comes from a proud military family background — her husband served 28 years in the Devon & Dorset regiment, and she has two sons, both serving in the Army. Her daughter and grandchildren live locally in Exmouth. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her grandchildren and making the most of family life.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Firs Residential Home

What types of Care is The Firs Residential Home registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia & Physical Disability are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

How many Rooms does The Firs Residential Home have?

There are 38 Single Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at The Firs Residential Home?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room & Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is The Firs Residential Home to the centre of Budleigh Salterton?

0.6 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact The Firs Residential Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. The Firs Residential Home has an Enhanced Service - more info.