






Maiden Castle House is a welcoming, purpose-built residential and dementia care home in the heart of Dorset's county town. The home's experienced and well-trained team provides compassion care for those who can longer live independently, whether that is someone who is physically frail or those suffering from dementia.
Maiden Castle House has 66 bedrooms split into two wings to ensure a home atmosphere. All rooms feature state-of-the-art ensuite facilities. There are...
Care Provided by Maiden Castle House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 66 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
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Maiden Castle House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Maiden Castle House 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
- Care South
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Ashley Smith(Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
Room Information
- Single Rooms (66)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (66)
Maiden Castle House Reviews (73)
Maiden Castle House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.774) out of 10, based on 16 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Maiden Castle House has 73 reviews.
My father was a long-term resident at Maiden Castle House for the sixteen months before his death from Alzheimers. The care he was given throughout that time was absolutely faultless. Ash and his team were brilliant, with the admin, catering and housekeeping staff all equally deserving of praise. Everyone who came into contact with my father treated him with dignity and compassion. He loved getting the opportunity to read to the children who came to visit and enjoyed taking part in a wide range of other activities. Thank you to everyone.
Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We are honoured to have cared for your father and are delighted to hear that he enjoyed the activities, especially reading to the visiting children.
Your praise for Ash and the entire team means a great deal and will...
Absolutely faultless. Both my parents were admitted over Christmas. My mother for short term respite and my father longer term. The care they received, the staff, the meals and the facilities was outstanding. Both were very sad to leave
Thank you for your lovely review. We're so pleased your parents had such a positive experience with us, and that our team, care, and facilities made a difference. It means a lot to hear they were sad to leave, truly the highest compliment. Wishing you and your family all the best.
It was a difficult decision when mum moved into Maiden Castle House (MCH) permanently. She had been into a few homes for respite and MCH was the only care home I had confidence in to care for her. The home is managed to a high standard. The carers help mum with dignity and compassion. They quickly found out her 'likes and dislikes' and vulnerability to falls. The housekeeping team keep the care home beautifully clean and fresh. The catering staff provide excellent meals with plenty of nutritious snacks available at all times. All at the care home so welcoming to mum, myself, my partner and our dog. I am always included in any decision making.
Many thanks for your lovely review. It's so great to read that you feel the home is managed to a high standard and that Mum is cared for with dignity and compassion - this is what we strive for a Maiden Castle House. I will share your review with the whole team as I know it will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks once again, it means a lot.
Highly professional team. .guests treated individually with their needs.always ready to answer any queries and very helpful problem solving. I live in italy after visiting the home being greated with smily faces taken to mums room very clean a good size with everything that is needed .after saying goodbye and returning home to italy I would like to thank you all so much . We as a family are so lucky to have had the chance to stay with you.thank you from the deepest of my heart
Thank you again
Despite my mum (who has dementia) being adamant she would not live in a care home, she has settled in surprisingly well. The staff are kind, caring and always approachable. The home itself is clean and pleasant with many varied activites on offer. The compaionship has made such a positive difference to her life. Knowing she is safe and well cared for is priceless for her family.
Thank you for your review, It's great to read that Mum has settled in well. I am so pleased that you find the staff to be kind, caring and always approachable. I will share your feedback with the team, I know it means a lot to them to receive such great praise.
Dad moved to MCH after a fairly long stay in hospital. He was confused and very anxious. The day he arrived the staff were so kind and supportive, we felt we could relax as a family knowing he was being looked after. At first he was scared and didn't want to leave his room. A year on, and despite his dementia, he's built friendships and enjoys life.
Thank you so much for your review. It is so lovely to read that you feel the staff are kind and supportive and it's great to know that Dad enjoys life and has built friendships. I'll make sure to share your review with the whole team, I know they will be really please, thank you again.
My nan is having a lovely time in her new home, as a family we could not be happier. We are happy with all parts of the care and the home.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We're absolutely delighted to hear that your nan is enjoying her time with us. It means a lot to know that you and your family feel happy and reassured with the care and support we provide.
My father had Alzeimer's Disease and went to Maiden Castle House for the last few months of his life. All the staff, both day-to-day carers and administrative staff knew my father by name, and were all very helpful when we telephoned or visited. They coped well, and with good humour, with all the difficulties the final stages of his illness caused. Finally, after a stay in hospital, he returned there for the final few days of his life. I cannot fault the care he received at that time. After his death the home dealt efficiently with telling the people required.
The whole family feel very fortunate that we were able to send our father to Maiden Castle House when we were finally unable to care for him at home.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We're truly honoured to have cared for your father and are glad we could offer comfort and support during such a difficult time. Your feedback means a great deal to all of us at Maiden Castle House.
The care, compassion and professionalism of the team stood out at the end of mum's life. On the night she had a stroke, the team did a remarkable job, to respond quickly to her needs, contact myself and my wife, sat with her until the Ambulance crew arrived and then took care of us all. This would be mums last night.
The Ambulance crew working hand-in-hand with the Maiden Castle team did what they could for mum to make the last hours of her life as comfortable, humane and loved as possible. We had time to call my brother who travelled 6 hours to be with mum when she took her last breath. At our most difficult time they were there for all of us. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind and heartfelt words. We are truly honoured to have cared for your mum during her time with us at Maiden Castle. Knowing that she felt safe, at home, and supported means everything to the team. It was a privilege to be there for you and your family during such a...
There is always lots of activities happening to keep minds and bodies active and engaging.
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're so pleased to hear your mother-in-law is enjoying the care and activities - it means a lot to us.
My mum has been here for a year and my family and I are over the moon with the care she has received. The activities planned are stimulating and fun, and when the little nursery comes it makes her day.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear your mum is happy and enjoying the activities - especially those special visits from the nursery children!
The staff have all been very helpful and supportive of both me and my husband who has advanced P.D. I am able to visit whenever I wIsh and am able to stay for meals when I want to.
In my view this care home is far superior to some of the others I have visited. It is spacious, which allows residents some privacy if they don't feel like being sociable.
Thank you for your lovely words about Maiden Castle, we are so pleased you enjoy your visits to see your husband and that your made to feel welcome. We will share this review with the team.
My wife came into the home as an emergency admission after she refused to return home. Her dementia leads to very challenging behaviour but all of the staff have given 100% to help her settle in. It is very apparent that the staff are a team who all work for each other to provide the best possible care.
Thank you for your review. We are really pleased to hear how the team are supporting you and your wife and will share this feedback with them.
The team were easy to communicate with, especially the manager who was professional yet personal and nothing was too much trouble.
Thank you for this 5 star review, we will share this with the home. We are so pleased to hear your great-grandad enjoyed his respite stay.
I was especially touched in the last few days and at the end when, not only was my dad cared for, but so was I. I was made comfortable in his room so that I could stay with him and encouraged to make myself at home and help myself to what I needed. Everyone was incredibly kind and made the last few days as peaceful and comfortable as possible for both my dad and myself.
We are all deeply sorry for your loss and send our condolences to you and your family. We will share your heartfelt comments with the team.
The chef would visit Mum and ask what type of food she liked and would prepare accordingly. The home was modern, clean and warm and Mum especially enjoyed breakfast in her room with the morning sun beaming in.
Visiting hours were very flexible and refreshingly not too many restrictions were in place. She had her own belongings with her pictures mounted on the walls of her room. Wifi was good - important for a 99-year-old who liked her tablet!
Thank you again to the managers and staff for their very professional care.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review. I am so pleased that your late mother was so well cared for at Maiden Castle House, feedback like this means so much to the team. Wishing you all the best for the future.
Thank you to all at Maiden Castle House.
Thank you so much for your fantastic review of Maiden Castle, feedback like this means so much to the team. I am delighted to read how well your mum is cared for at Maiden Castle and will of course share your comments with the team. All the best.
The manager and staff have been very helpful in trying to meet my husband's needs. My husband really likes the staff, who are caring and considerate. There is a wide selection of meals which he likes. The home is bright and cheerful and very pleasant. I would highly recommend this home.
Thank you for your kind words, the team at Maiden Castle will be thrilled to read your comments. Wishing you all the best.
Mum had 2 weeks respite to get her back on her feet after a stay in hospital. She is now well rested and able to come home after the best care from excellent staff. They couldn't have done enough for her and would highly recommend it to anyone. I'd like to mention a couple of staff members in particular who went above and beyond. Many thanks to you all and keep up the good work!
I am so pleased to read your review, how wonderful that your mum is back on her feet and fully recovered. Wishing you and her all the very best for the future.
My father was in palliative care at Maiden Castle House for a month. I have nothing but praise for the care, respect and consideration he received, and for the efforts the staff made to make his last days comfortable and dignified. At the same time, they were very attentive to the family and their emotional needs. Visiting hours were flexible and we were able to spend precious moments with him.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I am sorry to learn of your father's passing. Your feedback will mean so much to all of the team at Maiden Castle.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 23 October 2025Good
- 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 (21) & Events (0)
- 02 Jun 2026
Dorset care home residents delighted in a memorable musical afternoon created especially for them by the BSO, Care South and JPMorganChase. Hosted at JPMorganChase’s Bournemouth campus, the midweek event included...
- 27 May 2026
Communities across the south of England gathered at Care South’s care homes to share experiences and raise awareness during Dementia Action Week. Karen Hodges, Group Dementia Lead for Care South,...
- 02 Mar 2026
The team at residential and care at home provider, Care South, are celebrating after being rated as a top care home provider for the sixth consecutive year. Care South, a...
There are no upcoming events for Maiden Castle House.
Awards / Recognitions (8)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Care South
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Maiden Castle House.
Meet the Team (1)

“Prior to joining Care South, I was a painter and decorator but have now been in the care industry for ten years. I started at Maiden Castle House as a Care Assistant and gradually gained regular promotions to now being appointed as the Home Manager.
There is nothing better than seeing happy residents, and the memories and friendships you make with them. Every day I look forward to the challenges the day may bring, I have worked here for a third of my life so I am particularly passionate about the home continuing to be as successful as possible.
I am a proud dad to my twins, Archie and Myla. I love my free weekends adventuring with them and my partner, Leah. I enjoy running, most sports and spending time with my extended family. I am a positive person who is always looking forward to the future and all the exciting journeys you can embark on.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Maiden Castle House
What types of Care is Maiden Castle House registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Maiden Castle House have?
There are 66 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Maiden Castle House?
Own Furniture if required, Smoking not permitted, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Maiden Castle House to the centre of Dorchester?
0.7 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 Maiden Castle House to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Maiden Castle House has an Enhanced Service -more info.