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 81-87
Review from Emily M (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 October 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My dad has a number of complex needs and behaviours and the staff and the management have dealt/deal with him in a very caring and compassionate manner no matter what disturbances/issues he has caused. He feels very well looked after and cared for which, with myself living so far away, is really an
absolute blessing for me and puts my mind at rest knowing they are always looking out for him.
The staff are friendly and the home is kept clean and dad is always raving on about the fabulous food they make and how much he loves them all. Really couldn't ask for a better place for my dad to be!
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Review from Jane E R B (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
It is a busy home and as soon as you walk in it has a homely, friendly atmosphere.
Staff are welcoming and show great compassion to all in their care.
Mum was worried she wouldn't like moving into a home but she has made close connections with all of the staff and they have made it home for her.
After
a long stay in hospital, she was happy to return to the home.
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Review from B H (Wife of Resident) published on 1 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband has been going to The Firs for one day a week for the last year, so when I needed respite, he was there for several weeks. I would recommend this home with very caring staff, many thanks.
Sadly he has now been moved to a nursing home.
Reply from Liana Birkett, Director at The Firs Residential HomeThank you for your kind words. We were sad to say goodbye to your husband.
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Review from Michael R H (Son of Resident) published on 26 April 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All of the staff work as a team with one objective, and that is to give all of the residents first-class care with attention to humanity and detail. The activities are varied, interesting and the grounds are ideal to be out in during the warmer weather. The food cooked on the premises is varied and
targeted to individuals when required. Additionally, the feedback to the residents family, friends and carers is first class.
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Review from Ronald T (Husband of Resident) published on 22 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
What more can be said than the chart below; which gives a fair summary of my experiences based on my wife's 17months at The Firs. The management and staff are continually available and as a result, I have never seen residents having to wait for attention.
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Review from Graham S (Resident) published on 30 June 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
When I was first invited to join The Firs about 18 months ago, I went to stay in a temporary location whilst a new block was being built. The manageress was kind enough to assure me that I would have first refusal on the new block and chose a residence which had an attached shower and 3 windows opening
onto the garden. What could I have better?
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Review from Rose F (Resident) published on 23 June 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was given a real welcome when I came to this home when the home I was in previously was suddenly closed down in February 2015. The Firs is a lovely home set in beautiful gardens. I have a nice room with an en-suite loo and basin and a really lovely view of the garden and trees. The staff are truly
caring and friendly. I am very well looked after and happy here.
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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.

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.