






Outstanding Residential & Dementia Care in a Beautiful Country Setting
The Old Vicarage Residential Home is a family-run care home set in a beautiful Grade II listed Georgian house in the scenic village of Otterton, East Devon — located between Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth, Ottery St. Mary and Sidmouth.
For over 30 years, The Old Vicarage has been trusted by local families to provide high-quality residential, respite, and convalescence care, with personalised support...
Care Provided by The Old Vicarage Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
- Eating Disorders
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 26 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
- 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
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Stay 4 weeks for the price of 3. Fourth week is free of charge.
minimum is 2 weeks and a maximum of 4 weeks.
After four weeks, the fees will be reviewed depending on the care needs and type of room (standard/ large rooms with ensuite, shower/wet rooms).
includes accommodation, all care requirements, food of their choice (including breakfast, lunch, tea, cake, biscuits, fruits, supper, night bites etc), laundry, well being activities and support with the medical appointments.
Not included in the fees: newspapers, hairdressing, dry cleaning, own telephone system, etc.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact The Old Vicarage Care Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact The Old Vicarage Care 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)
Good to Know
Owner
- Glebefield Care Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Vanessa Powling (Registered Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2022
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (24)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (4)
Visiting
- Book a Free Experience Day or Schedule a Visit Today.
Parking
- Parking on-site. Disabled parking available.
The Old Vicarage Care Home Reviews (32)
The Old Vicarage Care Home has a Review Score of 9.3 (9.282) out of 10, based on 6 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Old Vicarage Care Home has 32 reviews.
On entering the Old Vicarage, one becomes aware of a pleasant, welcoming atmosphere, created by the staff working in the home. After two visits to the Old Vicarage, I knew it would be the place I could call home. Since moving here in March 2020, I have been comfortable and settled in one of the many attractive rooms, with the staff doing everything possible to assist me. Visits from family and friends are encouraged and well organised. It is comforting to know that a resident may talk to a senior member of staff about any situation that is causing concern, or for some reassurance over an everyday matter.
Thank you so much for your review. We are delighted to hear that you are feeling settled and happy at The Old Vicarage.
I have lived in this care home for several years now and am very happy to be here. It is a cosy home where you feel comfortable and well looked after with kindness and understanding. The staff are well trained in the care of the residents and look after all individual needs. The food is varied and good and individual preferences are catered for. There are many different activities arranged for the residents to enjoy. If you need to be in a care home this one is a very good one to live in. I have no regrets at all about moving here.
Many thanks for your kind review.
The staff at the Old Vicarage were superb. From the moment they met Mum, they treated her with kindness and respect and this is how they looked after her on a daily basis. They worked very hard at meeting her needs and treating her as an intelligent adult, with a past, present and future. I can't thank them enough. I always felt she was in very safe and kind hands.
Many thanks for your feedback, it was a pleasure to have your mum staying with us and lovely to have you visiting regularly throughout her stay.
Mum has been a resident here for over 4 years. She was struggling at home and lonely. We decided on The Old Vicarage because of its reputation and mum had visited before and it was lovely. Mum is the happiest she has been in years. She has made good friends with other residents and she says all the staff are her friends too. As family, I find the manager kind, caring, patient and all her team. During Covid they have kept us informed, kept everyone safe and also made special arrangements so we could visit.
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review, it's lovely for us to hear your feedback.
I rang The Old Vicarage when my mum fell and injured herself at home. Right from the off, they were helpful, organised and efficient at getting back to me, unlike other places that didn't answer the phone or call me back. The Manager came to see mum at home and she was very kind and patient, she explained everything and reassured mum who was quite anxious about going. Once she was in, my sister, my wife and I were all permitted to visit, despite the Covid-19 restrictions and we always found the staff to be helpful, friendly and organised. We were made very welcome and we had afternoon teas in the lovely garden together, lovely peaceful surroundings, no traffic and just birdsong. I could not fault the staff that I met, they were cheerful and very kind to mum and welcoming to us. My mum also said that she found the food to be fantastic and she is a fussy eater! I would book again and heartily recommend to others.
Thank you for your lovely review, we are really pleased to hear that you and your Mum enjoyed your stay. Thank you for the recommendation, much appreciated.
I have been treated as though I am the only one. Really special
I am extremely well looked after by very nice staff. It is a nice house and the food is good.
The staff are extremely sociable and helpful. Food is tasteful and plentiful, the home is comfortable, sociable and manageable.
I came here in April 2017 because of many falls, followed by broken bones made it impossible to live on my own. I have been very comfortable and received good unobtrusive care. Cheerful staff and good food. Lovely garden and vegetable garden provides most of our vegetables. In the summer we are encouraged to be outside by having chairs and tables ready outside and willing staff to bring out tea and coffee when asked. Visitors always welcome and we can come and go as we please.
A delightful well-run home. Staff are efficient, courteous and have a good rapport with the residents.
My mother went to The Old Vicarage in December 2013 and I have nothing but praise for the way she has been cared for since. The staff all of them past and present have been caring, professional, attentive, friendly and supportive to my mother. I would highly recommend The Old Vicarage. It is so comfortable for the residents and the small number of residents creates a very reassuring and relaxed atmosphere.
From the day my mother moved in, in 2011, she has received excellent care throughout. All the staff are very caring and treat her with dignity and respect at all times. The home has a lovely atmosphere always warm and welcoming to family and friends.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 11 December 2018Good
- CaringOutstanding
- 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 (1) & Events (0)
- 08 Sep 2025
This summer’s beautiful weather arrived just in time for our very first Fun Afternoon - held on Saturday, 5th July - and we could not have asked for a more...
There are no upcoming events for The Old Vicarage Care Home.
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- 12 Dec 2019Recipient: The Old Vicarage Care Home
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for The Old Vicarage Care Home.
Meet the Team (3)

My first job in care as a Care Assistant in a small residential home in 1989. With 35 years of experience in the residential, nursing and dementia care. I have worked in most of the departments of small to big care home in the UK. Obtained several qualifications (NVQ3 & NVQ5) and become Train the trainer during these years. I have always believed in person-centred care and passionate about making a difference to people lives and care home should always be welcoming, inviting and creating memories.
I felt privileged to become the Home Manager of The Old Vicarage in Otterton, East Devon area and to work so closely with residents, their close family members and our staff to ensure each resident gets the person-centred care and attention they require to get the best out of their life in our home. I am very proud to lead a team of dedicated, compassionate and caring staff. They are a happy, fun-loving team, and every day I see them go over and above to make a difference to the lives of our residents and families.

In 2002, when I was welcomed into The Old Vicarage team as a care assistant, it was clear to me that this was not just a retirement home, this was a large, welcoming family. I can truly say that 19 years later, our ethos and values haven't changed, our residents are still remain at the heart of everything that we do.
I am qualified to NVQ level 3 & 5. As a Home Coordinator, I make sure all the enquiries are responded promptly, organise viewings and send the contract paper works. I am also leading the Housekeeping team and make sure the our home is maintained to a very high standard.

Samantha Adkins is our Director of Care Services & Head of Compliance is responsible for delivering person-centred care plan, ensuring the service is complaint with CQC regulations and responsible for the overall wellbeing of clients and staff. She has 20+ years of experience in caring for vulnerable adults and people living with dementia in the community, care homes and hospitals. She started her career as a Care Assistant and worked her way to the Senior Management role and enjoys implementing person-centred care wherever she works. She is qualified for NVQ level 5 Diploma in Management and leadership in Health and Social Care and has several other qualifications to her credit. She is a competent trainer and assessor and believes thorough training is key to looking after their clients like their own family members. She enjoys reading history and exploring people and places.
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