
The team are fantastic, caring and supportive.Harvey P(Son of Resident/Service User)

There was a wide variety of activities suited to each one's needsB C(Respite Resident/Service User)

It truly feels like home from homeA L(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

The team are fantastic, caring and supportive.Harvey P(Son of Resident/Service User)

There was a wide variety of activities suited to each one's needsB C(Respite Resident/Service User)

It truly feels like home from homeA L(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Horkesley Manor is a residential, nursing and dementia care home set in a substantially renovated manor house in the Essex countryside, at the end of a long drive in the village of Great Horkesley just outside Colchester.
Horkesley Manor looks out over open fields, with grounds that give it a peace and sense of space felt immediately, bright, well appointed communal areas, and Colchester's shops and services a short distance away...
Care Provided by Horkesley Manor
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
- Younger Adults
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 73 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Convalescent Care
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Accommodation only
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Horkesley Manor for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Horkesley Manor 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)
Support you may be entitled to
- If you chose a care home based in England, you may be eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC), which helps cover the cost of nursing. This is worth £267.68 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Stow Healthcare Group
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Michael Parris(Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 18+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: -1
- Last Refurbishment: 2026
- Number of floors: 1
Room Information
- Single Rooms (73)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (2)
Visiting
- The home is open to visitors 24 hours a day
Parking
- Free, onsite parking is available at all times
Horkesley Manor Reviews (104)
Horkesley Manor has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.683) out of 10, based on 21 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Horkesley Manor has 104 reviews.
It would be nice if there were more carers but I believe the staff levels are at legal levels and they are all lovely.
My mother has been a resident at Great Horkesley Manor for a few months now. I am very pleased with the care she is receiving and enjoy the atmosphere when I visit. It's very calm and my mother and other residents appear happy and settled. The team as a whole are very supportive, and have a lot of knowledge regarding residents' needs.
Thank you for your time and comments. We continue to move the home forward and look forward to seeing you enjoy our new project the ice cream, tea, coffee parlour and bbq station.
My experience of the home is excellent.
Thank you for your response, we will work with you to improve the menu to your liking.
My father is very happy in this home. I'm so pleased to see the improvements with the dementia unit, it's calm, caring and clean. The staff can't do enough for you. The manager and deputy manager are always at hand for advice and supportive. The home is improving, it's decorated lovely with themed areas and now they plan to improve the grounds.
Thank you for your time and response, we are pleased that you are happy with the way we are moving the home forward.
Mum is happy and content. Staff are very friendly. Good level of care given. Home is being decorated and looks lovely and homely.
Thank you for your time and support, the decoration of the home is nearly complete, we now have moved onto the grounds and start the project of the reception garden which will become a ice cream parlour and coffee/tea house, with flowers gazebo and fountain. We look forward to seeing you enjoy the fresh air and lovely summer weather with your loved ones.
All of the staff give excellent basic care but also that extra bit of friendly open and knowledgeable support that makes so much difference to mum and her family.
We would like to say thank you for your time and support, we continue to move the home forward and look forward to your opinions and suggestions in future ventures.
My wife has been in here for almost 1 year. They treat her with respect and look after her all the time, very happy with the service.
Thank you for your response and time, we enjoy your company and the banter with the staff you are part of our family, we look forward to spending the summer with you and the activities planned.
From show round to Mum being admitted to the home, it has been smooth and we've been supported. I can highly recommend GHM.
Thank you for your time and response your opinions are important to us.
My mother has been a resident for just over a year and is very content and happy. She is well looked after by the staff. The home has come on leaps and bounds since the new manager has arrived. There are more activities and outings. The home is being decorated and looks very nice. It has a lovely homely atmosphere and if someone is looking for a loving, caring home I can highly recommend Great Horkesley Manor.
Thank you for your time and support. I hope you will continue to visit the home and join in with our planned summer activities.
I visited my father in December 2016. He resides on the Dementia wing of the facility. I found his accommodation to be nice and the staff extremely caring to his needs. I flew from America to see him and when I returned to America I felt at peace that my father was in good hands.
Thank you for your reply and efforts to correct the form, your opinion is important to us and we appreciate your view.
My only concern is the parking, which can be a problem, sometimes it means parking on the grass. This could discourage visitors from coming.
I have raised this with the manager and was advised parking for staff will be moved to the rear of the property, but it has not happened to date.
It was nice to meet you and we are looking forward to seeing you on your return to the UK. Thank you for your support and opinions, please feel free to e-mail at anytime if you have any queries or question.
My father needed secure residential care after a hospital stay and he came to Great Horkesley Manor. The atmosphere here has always been welcoming and the location overlooking fields is an asset. The recent changes in management and resultant improvements in all areas have only served to make me even happier that we chose this as his home, my peace of mind is complete knowing he is in good hands.
Thank you for your support with completing the form. We appreciate your feedback and as always we continue to move forward in the home and to complete themed areas throughout for residents and family to use.
Standards have improved significantly recently since the new manager. Overall, I am pleased with the improved level of care my mum now receives. Now spring has arrived, I look forward to seeing mum involved in new summer outdoor activities.
Thank you for your time, feedback and support, we are working hard to move the home forward and continue to improve our service.
Very happy with the service provided. Staff are very keen and helpful and have a good relationship with Mum.
Thank you for your time and support completing the form, we continue to move the home forward and one action is to improve on the activities, so hope you see the difference the next time you visit.
I then looked at Horkesley Manor which was an uplifting moment and gave me hope that there were indeed good, respectable and caring places out there.
Thank you for your kind words and the compliments our aim at GHM is to provide a loving caring home where relatives and friends are welcome at all times, I'm pleased to hear that you feel welcome and are pleased with the care your loved one receives in our service.
My experience of the above care home has been very positive. My father is very happy there and well looked after. In fact, I would say the staff go the extra mile to be helpful and friendly.
Thank you for your support and kind words.
My ex-parents-in-law were admitted to the home in November 2016. Since then, my ex-mother-in-law has passed away, but the care and professionalism of the staff was fantastic as she slipped away. My ex-Father-in-law is still there and very well looked after. One great advantage to GHM is that they have double rooms for husband and wife, which in my opinion helps process no end.
Thank you for your response and support I look forward to moving the home forward with more projects and events in the near future.
The home has moved in the right direction a great deal since new management was appointed. Team appear more content and settled. Residents, especially my father receive a good standard of care and enjoy the environment. I look forward to the future changes and have great confidence in the whole team.
Thank you for your support and kind words, I look forward to seeing you and enjoying the ice cream and coffe parlour which will be complete by the end of June 2017.
Since my mother-in-law has been in Great Horkesley Manor I have found all the staff to be friendly and attentive to her and members of my family and my brother-in-law and family have agreed the same.
My father lived at Great Horkesley Manor for 7 years. During all that time he was cared for with respect and consideration. As he became frail the level of care gradually increased and nothing seemed too much trouble for the staff. He has recently passed away and the level of care and attention he received during his final days could not be faulted. The staff were absolutely brilliant and I cannot speak highly enough of them. If you are considering a care home in Colchester, definitely give Great Horkesley Manor a visit.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (1) & Events (0)
- 01 Jun 2026
From Monday 15th to Sunday 21st June, Horkesley Manor will be opening our doors to the community. We'd love for you to come and see what life here is really...
There are no upcoming events for Horkesley Manor.
Awards / Recognitions (4)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Stow Healthcare Group
- 22 Apr 2021Recipient: Stow Healthcare Group
- 08 Dec 2017Recipient: Stow Healthcare Group
Meet the Team (3)

Michael Parris is the Home Manager and brings more than 25 years of experience in the health and social care sector. A Registered Nurse since 2007, he also holds a Level 5 qualification in Leadership for Health and Social Care, combining strong clinical knowledge with a passion for delivering high-quality, person-centred care.
Michael is committed to ensuring residents feel safe, valued and truly at home. He believes excellent care is built on strong relationships, compassionate leadership and understanding each individual's unique needs and life experiences. He takes great pride in leading a dedicated team that shares his commitment to enriching the lives of residents and creating a warm, supportive environment.
Outside of work, Michael enjoys reading, watching combat sports and supporting Ipswich Town Football Club.

Meet Laura - Nursing Deputy Manager at Horkesley Manor Care Home
Laura is a qualified Learning Disability Nurse with almost 20 years of experience across acute settings, rehabilitation services and elderly care. This broad clinical background supports safe nursing practice, detailed care planning and a strong understanding of complex and individual needs.
As Nursing Deputy Manager at Horkesley Manor, Laura works closely with residents, relatives and the nursing team to promote person-centred care and clinical excellence. Supporting residents to have a voice remains central to the role, with communication tailored to individual preferences and abilities to ensure dignity, choice and inclusion.
Leading with empathy and compassion helps create a supportive and professional environment where families feel informed, reassured and involved in their loved one’s care. Strong relationships with relatives provide valuable insight, helping deliver consistent, high-quality nursing care and positive daily experiences.
Creating the best possible day for residents remains the goal every day.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her dog Simba, long beach walks and quality time with family and friends.

Meet Teresa - Home Administrator at Horkesley Manor Care Home
Teresa brings 34 years of experience in the social care sector, including 20 years working as a Care Assistant and completion of NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care. A PTLLS qualification also supports staff training and development, alongside previous administrative responsibilities within a care home setting.
For the past three years, Teresa has worked in an administrative role, supporting enquiries, admissions and communication with residents and relatives. A strong focus on person-centred care helps each individual feel reassured and supported during the move into the home and throughout daily life.
Providing clear information, a warm welcome and ongoing support to families is an important part of the role, helping people feel confident when making care decisions.
Outside of work, Teresa enjoys spending time with grandchildren and travelling abroad with husband.
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