Tara's Retreat Care Home

High Street, Sandridge, St Albans AL4 9DQ
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8.5 35 Reviews
  • Tara's Retreat Care Home, St Albans
Tara's Retreat is situated in the High Street of the beautiful rural Hertfordshire village of Sandridge, on the outskirts of the historic City of St Albans. This purpose built home opened in 2006 and is set in landscaped groups which enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Tara's Retreat is dedicated to providing residential care for older people and for those with dementia related needs. It has been designed and equipped to the highest standard to ensure that residents enjoy a superior quality of life.

All 46 bedrooms are en-suite and decorated to a high specification, all of which may be personalised.

Tara's Retreat offers a choice of lounges and dining areas, a fully equipped activities room and accessible patio areas. The private gardens at Tara's Retreat offer a safe environment, with easy access pathways for outdoor activities.

Tara's Retreat 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 69 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
  • 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 £1450
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1550
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1500
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1600

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Tara's Retreat 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

  • Karen Langley (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (69)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (69)

Tara's Retreat Care Home Reviews (35)

8.5

Tara's Retreat Care Home has a Review Score of 8.5 (8.510) out of 10, based on 7 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Tara's Retreat Care Home has 35 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Tara's Retreat Care Home
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Total of 35, showing 21-35
Review from J W (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 March 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
On arrival for my visit today I was greeted by the manager and reception staff. Both were very keen to bring me up to date with the improvements to the building works. Having then arrived on mum's unit greeted by the staff were bright and cheerful and happy to tell me how mum was getting along. Very
thrilled with B & M Tara's Retreat. Mum loves it and is thriving with her dementia.
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Review from E I A (Regular Volunteer) published on 9 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Very nice people, lovely setting and everyone are so kind, good care.
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Review from Clive P (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 27 June 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
This is a very good home with an excellent manager supported by caring and helpful staff. The facilities are well laid out with easy access to the combined dining and lounge area. The gardens provide a safe and secure outdoor area, pleasant and well maintained. We are happy with this home for our relative.
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Review from Ginny C (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 6 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum is very happy at Tara's. She says they are very kind to her and she's very lucky to live there.
I have found that all the carers are lovely - jolly and friendly and more importantly are caring and kind to mum. They are very patient and they are good at encouraging residents to get up if they are
a bit reluctant to get up or move into the day room. Mum loves it when the sixth formers come in on a Friday afternoon and she enjoys the singing and activities.
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Review from R R (Son of Resident) published on 20 July 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Good staff, caring approach, pleasant and well-kept facilities.
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Review from Mark M (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 July 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Always a nice welcome on each visit.
The rooms are always spotless and there is a feeling of a family, friendly environment.
Carers are always friendly and have my mother's wellbeing always at heart.
Would recommend this home to anyone.
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Review from Alison A (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care that my mother receives at Tara's is wonderful. All the staff are so caring and attentive to Mum's individual needs, always thinking of ways to enhance her life.
There are frequent activities ranging from quizzes and Bingo to trips out - even a day at the seaside. Nothing is too much trouble.
Mum's key worker communicates regularly with me and always informs me of any concerns as soon as they arise.
Mum is very happy at Tara's and I'm sure this is due to the calm atmosphere and wonderful care she receives.
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Review from Hollie S (Regular Volunteer) published on 15 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Lovely and friendly home.
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Review from Susan D (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 April 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum came to Tara's in December 2016 for 2 weeks' respite as her husband was in hospital. Unfortunately, he died in February and so mum's stay has become permanent. The family are all very pleased with the care provided and the caring staff. They are all very kind and showed sensitivity and support
during a very difficult time. The staff will always go out of their way to help however they can. The activities provided for residents are varied and plentiful. The accommodation is bright and cheerful and always kept very clean and tidy.
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Review from A B (Regular Volunteer) published on 29 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am a student who volunteers at Tara's Retreat every Friday. The staff at the home are warm and friendly. The care home is a supportive environment providing the best possibly care to its residents.
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Review from Julie N (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been with Tara's for nearly four years after I had looked after her for nearly 15 years. I was diagnosed with cancer within six months of my mother entering Tara's Retreat Residential Care Home. The staff just took over and I know she was in safe hands. They have carried on in the same
manner to this day.
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Review from Tamara F (Friend of Resident) published on 16 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am a carer from an outside care company and visits some residents for companionship and to sometimes take them out. On every visit, I am extremely impressed with every aspect of care at Tara's. It is a warm, friendly environment and the staff and carers are all very very happy and willing to help
residents and visitors with any needs. A joy to visit here.
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Review from MJ (Resident) published on 25 October 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The care in this home is excellent, but I am the only one that can go out by myself. I would like to find a resident that is able to go out with me sometimes. I play bridge twice a week and go to the excellent 'Silverthread' at the village hall every other Friday. The activities are mainly for those
who have vascular dementia or are incapacitated in some way. Everyone would benefit greatly if a film or usual DVD was shown to the residents once a week. I would also like an outing for shopping once a month. The bus service is very poor to St. Albans. No chemist or bank in Sandridge.
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Review from J L (Resident) published on 11 October 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I have nothing to compare with but my impression is of a very good standard in most aspects.
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Review from Beryl C (Resident) published on 10 October 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Good service. Kind, excellent. Good facilities. food good, allowed to go out.
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Current Review Score: 8.5 (8.510)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.5 (8.510) out of 10 for Tara's Retreat Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 7 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.0 out of 5 from 6 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 4.475 for Tara's Retreat Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (54 Excellents x 5) + (14 Goods x 4) + (8 Satisfactorys x 3) + (4 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 80 Ratings = 4.475
  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 4.035 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Tara's Retreat Care Home is based on 6 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 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 = 3.6
    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 69 registered maximum number of service users is 13.8. 6 Positive Reviews ÷ 13.8 = 0.435
  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: 16 Jun 2018

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

5 Bed Vacancies

Posted: 15 Sep 2025

Private Residential and Dementia Care

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Awards / Recognitions (5)

Meet the Team (1)

Karen

Karen Langley

Job Title: Home Manager Joined: 2017

I was appointed as Home Manager at Tara’s Retreat in 2017 after working in the same position at B&M Care’s sister home in St Albans, Clare Lodge. Like many other B&M Care Home Managers, I started my career as a Care Assistant and progressed ‘through the ranks’ to Deputy Manager. In addition to my experience, I have completed a number of qualifications, including several NVQs in Health & Social Care, as well as the ‘Champion of Dementia Care’ programme run in conjunction with Alzheimer’s Society.

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