Willowthorpe Care Home

High Street, Stanstead Abbotts, Ware SG12 8AS
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9.6 35 Reviews
  • Willowthorpe Care Home, Ware
Purpose built to cater for residents' specific needs, Willowthorpe opened in April 2005. The home is situated in the charming Hertfordshire town of Stanstead Abbotts. With picturesque riverside views, Willowthorpe attracts an array of wildlife as well as narrowboats mooring at the home.

Willowthorpe pride themselves on providing the very latest facilities and the highest standards in person centred care.

All rooms at Willowthorpe are single en-suite with shower facilities, and are decorated to a very high specification and may be personalised.

Willowthorpe offers two levels of care within different areas of the home. A 32-bed residential care environment caters for the more physically active resident, offering easy access to spacious grounds. The dementia care courtyard environment is designed to meet the specific needs of older people who have dementia related needs. This area provides a safe and secure space, offering residents freedom to move around its walk ways.

Willowthorpe offers residents a choice of period style lounges and dining areas, together with a sunny, riverside garden terrace and courtyard. The beautifully kept grounds at Willowthorpe offer views along the river, with easy access pathways for outdoor activities.

Willowthorpe offers long term residential care and short stay respite breaks for older people. The home specialises in the care of older people with dementia related needs and benefits from a safe and secure dementia environment.

The home's Activities Organiser arranges a varied social calendar of meaningful, appropriate activities and entertainment, including trips to places of interest.

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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 56 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

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

Facilities

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

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1350
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1450
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1350
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1450

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Willowthorpe Care Home to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Funding Types Accepted

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

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Lisa Edwards (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Comprehensive Pre Admission Assessment/Life Histories
  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (56)
  • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (53)

Willowthorpe Care Home Reviews (35)

Total of 35, showing 21-35
9.6

Willowthorpe Care Home has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.631) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Willowthorpe Care Home has 35 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 28
  • 7
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Date Published

35
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24

Review from John W (Son of Resident) published on 5 February 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We wanted to say "thank you" to all staff for their continued excellent care of our mothers. The home is a safe environment with forward-thinking and planning at every stage and usually in advance of government guidelines. Entertainment and needs are met by caring and loving staff and we feel very lucky
to be part of the" Willowthorpe family". The home and grounds are beautifully maintained and cleaned making it a home from home for everyone. Communication is top-notch, nothing is too much trouble and even head offices updates are gratefully received in these difficult times. So thank you all, we appreciate you all.

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Review from Tony C (Son of Resident) published on 5 February 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My 94-year-old mother will have been a resident at Willowthorpe for 2 years in March 2021. January 2021 has been a particularly difficult month for my Mum, but, with all the care, help and support from the members of staff at Willowthorpe, from management down to the cleaning staff, her pain and discomfort
has been made more bearable and with changes to her daily care, my Mum's needs are being fully met. My Mum has more obstacles to negotiate going forward and I know that I can rely on the Willowthorpe staff to be there for her every step of the way. I don’t know what I would do without your continued support and communication/website etc in these unprecedented times we find ourselves in. Thank you again one and all.

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Review from Liz W (Daughter of Resident) published on 27 January 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It has been lovely to see Mum settle in this caring home. She keeps bright, enjoying the sunny rooms and the activities with the other residents. The staff have been supportive, and every precaution is taken to ensure residents are kept safe from Covid-19. I am extremely grateful to know that Mum is
being looked after so well.

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Review from J G (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 September 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have only experienced friendly and caring work being carried out by all staff. I certainly would recommend Willowthorpe to anyone looking for a home. Everyone in the home does their very best for the welfare of all residents. I cannot stress enough how glad I am to have found Willowthorpe for a care
home for my mother. I know she is looked after and happy, so a big thank you to everyone.

Reply from Nicola Mead, Manager at Willowthorpe Care Home

Thank you for your very positive review and kind words.

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Review from S W (Friend of Resident) published on 30 January 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I visit a friend every 3-4 weeks for the past two and a half years. The staff always make us very welcome.

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Review from D S (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 October 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am very happy with the care my mother is receiving at Willowshorpe and that her needs are being met. All the staff are wonderful. They are caring, kind and patient, nothing is too much trouble. We are also pleased with their relationship with us, always making us feel so welcome and keeping us informed.
We would have no hesitation in recommending Willowthorpe.

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Review from Margaret W (Daughter of Resident) published on 13 September 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The greatest asset this care home has (aside from a beautiful riverside setting) is its staff. I can truly say these lovely people really "care", they look after the residents with real heart and as individuals - taking time to interact despite being so very busy. I would recommend Willowthorpe without
hesitation.

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Review from S W (Son of Resident) published on 6 July 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent standard of care throughout mum's stay.
I live some distance from Willowthorpe but I was always kept well informed on mum's health and general wellbeing.
Thank you.

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Review from Andrew C (Son of Resident) published on 25 June 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My Dad was a resident for 6 years and was always well treated and looked after.
Willowthorpe is how a home should be run.
Thank you.

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Review from Neil S (Friend of Resident) published on 23 November 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My friend said he was very content here, this was two weeks after he protested he didn't want to go into a home.
I have managed several elderly relatives and friends through care homes. I really didn't think places like Willowthorpe existed. Even compared to the best of the other I know Willowthorpe
is head and shoulders above. From the moment you walk in the smell, decor, food and the atmosphere you feel you are part of a happy team that really care about their customers.
Others homes ban you at meal times and bedtimes Willowthorpe not only welcome you, feed you excellent home cooked food, but encourages you to help with the care. If I end up at Willowthorpe I would be very happy.

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Review from Stephen S (Cousin of Resident) published on 30 October 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My cousin lived at Willowthorpe from January 2015 until her death on 21st September 2017. She was happy and well cared for during that time. The staff were kind and caring. The care home was clean warm and comfortable. There were plenty of activities for her to take part in. We are very grateful to
the staff at Willowthorpe for making the last years of my cousin's life as happy and entertained.

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Review from Patricia A (Resident) published on 28 August 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have resided here for approximately eight months but have had many respite periods here. My husband was here with dementia and I visited him twice a week. The staff were very kind to him but sadly he died three years ago. I was living on my own and feeling that I was not capable of doing jobs there.
I became a resident here and I do not regret it.
Nobody is perfect but the staff here are excellent (when they are all present!)
My room is very pleasant with a lovely view of the garden and the boatyard. I have no complaints worth mentioning!

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Review from D W (Resident) published on 26 June 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Satisfactory and efficient.

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Review from V M (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 June 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A lovely village location, set in lovely gardens on the banks of the River Lee, always something to look at the river.
Many activities and trips organised, staff are very friendly and helpful.
Regular review meetings with suggestions to improvements to care plans.
Great interaction between family,
residents and staff.

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Review from Pauline W (Daughter of Resident) published on 19 October 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Willowthorpe provided loving and attentive care to my mother throughout her time there and gave us great support during her final illness. The staff recognise that residents have different needs and they respected my mother's desire for privacy, whilst encouraging her to join other residents for some
meals. My mother particularly loved the garden and watching life on the river.

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Current Review Score: 9.6 (9.631)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.6 (9.631) out of 10 for Willowthorpe Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 11 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 11 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:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.649 for Willowthorpe Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (90 Excellents x 5) + (36 Goods x 4) + (5 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 131 Ratings = 4.649

  • b) 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 4.982 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Willowthorpe Care Home is based on 11 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 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 56 registered maximum number of service users is 11.2. 11 Positive Reviews ÷ 11.2 = 0.982

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • 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: 9 Jan 2019

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Good

  • Responsive

    Good

  • Safe

    Good

  • Well-led

    Requires improvement

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

No Bed Vacancies

posted 13 Aug 2025

Private Residential and Dementia Care

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Awards / Recognitions (3)

Meet the Team (1)

Lisa

Lisa Edwards

Job Title: Home Manager

I have worked in the care environment for over 25 years and can think of no better environment to be in. Over this time, I have strived to improve and hone my skills and qualifications. B&M Care not only want the best for their residents but also want this for their staff which is what attracted me to work with them and joined The Chadwick.


Working alongside a great team, we endeavour to promote and encourage independence and confidence whilst ensuring a social environment and engaging activities to develop a community within the home.

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