






Hardwick Dene is located in the quiet village of Buckden and was built in the 1920s as an Edwardian country residence. The home itself is set on spacious grounds with local wildlife adding to its character.
They pride themselves on their excellent facilities and activities programme including partnerships with local community groups, such as the church and schools. Their minibus allows them to take residents out to enjoy trips to the...
Care Provided by Hardwick Dene
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 50 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
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Stairlift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- 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 Hardwick Dene for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Hardwick Dene 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)
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Sohal Healthcare Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Paul Fletcher (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2013
Room Information
- Single Rooms (50)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (14)
Hardwick Dene Reviews (47)
Hardwick Dene has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.799) out of 10, based on 13 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Hardwick Dene has 47 reviews.
Mum has been a resident at HD for 6 months & in all that time she been very content & settled. All the staff have a good rapport with the residents. They are all friendly & patient & the level of care provided is excellent. Communication is strong & HD always keep us updated & discuss any changes in Mum's condition with their priority being Mum's health, welfare & engagement as a resident. As Mum's needs have changed, they have also been anticipated & quickly accommodated.
On visiting HD it's always a friendly & welcoming atmosphere & we have been impressed by the range of arranged activities from weekly live music, quizzes, baking, crafts, gardening to visiting goats & ponies.
Dad was also at HD for a month before passing. HD were happy to provide End of Life care with the support of the District Nurse & we couldn't fault the way in which they cared for him in his last few days with compassion and empathy.
As a family it is reassuring to know Mum is safe & well cared for.
Thank you for your kind words, I will pass them on to the team. It is our pleasure to look after your Mum as it was your Dad for a short period of time.
I have never felt unwelcomed or that my mother even with her dementia patronising or unwilling to help.
Thank you for your kind review. I shall pass on your comments to the staff.
Mum has been at Hardwick Dene since May 2023. This is a lovely care home, it has a relaxed, happy, family warmth to it. Mums needs have changed over the years and adjustments made accordingly. The staff are amazing, they are friendly, caring and fun around the residents. The food is all home cooked, there are options and the presentation is adjusted according to the residents changing needs. There is always entertainment including lots of singalongs which mum likes. The staff are always available to have a chat if you have questions and keep you informed as when things come up. I am very happy with the care mum receives and highly recommend this care home.
Thank you so much for such wonderful comments. I will pass those on to the whole team.
My mum has been at the care home since January 2025, after being discharged from hospital when her needs could no longer be met in the community. She has settled in really well and is clearly very well looked after. The staff are friendly, supportive, and always welcoming. There are plenty of activities available, and it's lovely to see her getting involved and enjoying them. Overall, we're very happy with the care she's receiving.
Thank you very much for your kind words, I will pass them on to all the staff. It our pleasure to have your Mum here with us.
Mum has been a resident at Hardwick Dene for a number of years and we have always been thoroughly delighted with the kind, holistic care that is given to her on a daily basis. More recently, mums needs have changed quite dramatically which has been difficult to witness, but the response by the Hardwick Dene staff to review, respond and meet her new needs is an enormous comfort to me. The upbeat, cheery, positive nature of the staff who help mum with her daily personal care and well being is heart warming, as her dignity is always preserved and humour challenged! I have peace of mind knowing that Hardwick Dene's communication is excellent to keep me informed and likewise I can make requests which are always actioned. The upkeep and cleanliness of mums room is also worth noting and celebrating. Thank you Hardwick Dene!
It is our pleasure to care for your Mum. Thank you for your kind words, they will be passed on to the staff.
Since moving into Hardwick Dene, my mother has been very well cared for and is far more content than she has ever been since my father died six years ago. My mother's room and the communal spaces are always clean and tidy. The staff pull out all the stops to ensure that the residents are safe and content at all times. There are a broad range of one-off and regular activities at the home (e.g., quizzes, musical performances, cookery classes, visiting zoos, exercise classes, events in the tranquil grounds) and residents have ample opportunity to partake in preening sessions (e.g., manicure, pedicure, hair-dressing). The standard and the variety of the meals served to the residents is excellent, and the tea trolley comes around regularly - much to everyone's delight. It's very obvious that the staff get a lot of pleasure from their work. I enjoy visiting my mother and interacting with the staff and the other residents, there's never a dull moment!
Thank you so much for your very kind words, I will pass them on to the whole team. It is a pleasure to have your Mum with us.
I know that my elderly father receives the best of care at Hardwick Dene. The staff are friendly, kind and attentive to his needs and there's excellent communication from them to me regarding his well being.
We really appreciate your lovely comments, it's very kind, thank you.
Mum has been a resident since 2019 and her Alzheimer's progression means her needs have changed over that time, but throughout she has been treated with care, respect and dignity. She still gains great enjoyment from all of the activities that go on during the week and the staff always try and get everyone involved. As a family, we are always made to feel welcome when we visit and are thoughtfully consulted on Mum's ongoing care. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Hardwick Dene.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It is a pleasure to care for your mum.
But Hardwicke Dene you can rest assured will care for your relative in every way possible and would recommend them to anyone when that time comes.
We really appreciate such kind comments and I will certainly share them with all the staff here.
It is clean and comfortable.
Maybe not as shiny and new looking as some of the fancy care homes that resemble hotels but the care here is so so good. That is what is important!
They really treat everyone like part of a big family.
I would recommend this care home to anyone over all the others.
That is so kind of you to write such a lovely review of our home. Thank you.
When mum went into hospital and was then taken to the care home as we could not meet her needs any longer, it was obviously a worrying time for us all particularly as we hadn't viewed the care home. When we arrived to take mums belongings and check she was ok we was instantly uplifted by the warm welcome it was really comforting to know that mum was being looked after by warm and caring people. Mum is very happy the staff always encourage her to mix and she has made friends and is doing really well, so much so that she looks much healthier and happier than before she went there. The staff keep us informed about everything and we are very happy with Hardwick Dene.
We are so pleased that your mum has settled in so quickly and that you are happy with everything we are doing. Thank you so much for your comments.
Both my mum and dad have been in Hardwick Dene in the last few years. Staff have always been kind and helpful to my parents but also to us as visitors. Very happy with the care they've both received over the years.
We really appreciate your amazing comments. Thank you.
They have looked after our Mum as her needs have evolved, with plenty of activities when she was capable of them, transitioning to increased care as this has been needed.
Thank you so much for your kind comments, I will pass them on to the team.
Since then I have found the staff to be very supportive. I live some distance away which means I am unable to visit as often as I’d like but I am always made welcome and included.
Mum receives the care she needs, this has increased over time. She has a lovely room, she enjoys the food and she gets on well with the staff. The staff are a cheerful and friendly team which must be beneficial for the residents.
I am happy with the care Mum receives at Hardwick Dene.
Thank you for your kind review. I shall pass your comments on to the staff.
My Dad is non-verbal due to his dementia but I can tell how much he likes the staff and appreciates all they do for him. He has not been too well recently but the care they have given has been amazing and we are kept fully informed at all times of day or night.
You are able to contact the home in between visits to find out how your loved one is, nothing is too much trouble for the staff.
There is plenty of entertainment every day to suit all needs from live music, quizzes, bingo, arts and crafts and cooking.
All in all a lovely care home where residents and their families feel part of everything.
Thank you for your kind comments. It is our pleasure to have your dad with us.
All of the staff are welcoming and friendly whenever I visit Mum, and nothing is too much trouble.
I am confident in the knowledge that Mum is receiving the best care possible at Hardwick Dene.
Thank you very much for your kind comments; I will pass them on to the whole team.
Visiting isn't limited to set times, the only bugbear will always be the parking - lack of. This can cause some disruption especially if you need to park alongside the path, to allow for wheelchairs or people with mobility concerns. Walking across stones is really not good at all and a health safety concern!
Also always kept posted, regarding aunt's care should there be any concern. I actually wrote too much for this review and had to go back and delete quite a lot, unfortunately. Which is a shame! All positive.
Too close to all management, office staff, carers and absolutely everyone employed by Hardwick Dene in Buckden - we are very happy with, and long may this high-quality care reign.
Thank you very much for your kind words. It is our pleasure to care for your aunt.
Having had previous experience of family in residential care I am completely overawed by the care given at Hardwick Dene. The atmosphere is very calm and the staff are without a doubt completely professional and caring, all being very attentive with smiles and kind words, recognising individual's needs. There are spaces for quiet time and/or activities with everyone encouraged to be a part of the family. It is very apparent that there is a huge amount of thought 'behind the scenes' by a dedicated group of people whose vocation is clear to see. I have absolute belief that my aunty is receiving wonderful care and I also feel cared for and welcome when visiting. In what is clearly a very difficult and challenging time for all involved I cannot praise the team at Hardwick Dene enough, thank you so much to all.
Thank you for such kind words, I will pass them on to the whole team.
The staff are professional and good-natured, providing care for the residents with respect and empathy. The emphasis is placed on dignity and quality of life.
Thank you for those kind words, we really enjoy having your dad here.
My father has been a resident now for two years, all the staff are brilliant and it feels like one big happy family. They go the extra mile where residents are concerned and always make the family welcome to.
Thank you very much for your kind words. It is our pleasure to look after your dad.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 05 January 2018Good
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeGood
- Well-ledGood
Inspection ratings
We rate most services according to how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led they are, using four levels:
- Outstanding - The service is performing exceptionally well.
- Good - The service is performing well and meeting our expectations.
- Requires Improvement - The service isn't performing as well as it should and we have told the service how it must improve.
- Inadequate - The service is performing badly and we've taken action against the person or organisation that runs it.
- Not rated - we have not yet rated this area of the service, this is normally because the assessments we have carried out have been focused on other key questions.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for Hardwick Dene.
There are no upcoming events for Hardwick Dene.
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- 24 Oct 2013Recipient: Sohal Healthcare Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Hardwick Dene.
Meet the Team (3)

Hello, my name is Paul and I have been working in the Healthcare sector since 2009, joining Hardwick Dene as the Home Manager in 2018.
And my team pride itself on creating a warm and friendly atmosphere for all our residents and their family members in beautiful surroundings.

Hi, I'm Karrie and I have been in the care industry since 2009 and I have been at Hardwick Dene since 2015.

I have been here at Hardwick Dene since 2014
Frequently Asked Questions about Hardwick Dene
What types of Care is Hardwick Dene registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Hardwick Dene have?
There are 50 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Hardwick Dene?
Own Furniture if required, Smoking not permitted, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Stairlift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Hardwick Dene to the centre of St Neots?
4.9 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 Hardwick Dene to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Hardwick Dene has an Enhanced Service -more info.