






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 (9.780) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Maiden Castle House has 73 reviews.
My mother has been a resident for 8 weeks of respite care, following my father's heart attack as he was her main carer and respite care was required as he was unable to look after her. She received excellent care from all members of staff, who encouraged her to participate in activities and to eat proper meals (originally was only having soup and complan 3 times a day). She was well looked after.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave Maiden Castle House a review, it's much appreciated. I am delighted that your mother enjoyed her stay with us, we hope to welcome her back in the future. All the best.
Sadly Mum died in November, but we could not fault how we were supported by all the staff the day we were all there to be with Mum. They made sure we had somewhere to be together and checked on us regularly, as we couldn't all be in Mum's room at the same time.
All the staff take pride in the job they do and are always cheerful.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5 star review. I am so sorry to learn of your mother's passing, receiving feedback such as the above will mean so much to the team at Maiden Castle. Wishing you all the very best.
Mum has been a resident for 8 months, she has received excellent care from everyone the whole time she has been here. The carers and staff are all very patient and kind. They do a lot with all the residents and try to include everyone. Mum is well looked after.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review. The team will be absolutely delighted with your comments, thank you and Merry Christmas.
Mum loves taking part in a huge variety of activities, particularly enjoying meeting the donkeys, owls and alpacas. My brother and I are so grateful for everyone involved in making Mum feel so cared for and at home.
Merry Christmas.
It was a very special time for them, although the residents had no idea of the occasion.
Just so many, many thanks for helping her husband cope with a difficult day.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. I am so pleased the team created a special memory for you all. Wishing you all the best.
Own room for relaxing but uses communal day room for meals and company.
Thank you for your five-star review, it means so much to the team to read feedback like this. I will be sure to pass it on to the team.
I observe this as a well-regulated home that seeks to provide both the support and interests that stimulate residents and are relative to age and social background.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's so pleasing to see you rated the overall experience at Maiden Castle House as 5 star. I will pass on your lovely comments to the team. All the best.
My wife has been a resident for over two and a half years, all this time I have found both the home and staff excellent. Every single one is most helpful to both residents and my frequent visits. I would certainly recommend this home to everyone.
Thank you for your excellent feedback, I am delighted that you would recommend Maiden Castle House. Wishing you all the best.
Friendly and welcoming, good communication and lots of nice activities.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review for Maiden Castle House. I am so pleased to read your comments, and I wish you all the best.
As always Mum is being very well looked after. Thank you for your continued support.
Thank you for your 5 star review, the team at Maiden Castle House will be delighted. Wishing you all the best.
Mum wasn't managing well at home and it was finally decided she needed full time care. Oh my what a change to her there has been. At home she had become miserable, nothing was ever right anymore; she was very lonely. Within a few days of being in the home she became a different person. She loves all the staff, says how kind and caring they all are, and she joins in with the activities which she enjoys very much. My Mum has now gone back to how she used to be years ago. She is happy and so am I. I can't thank all the staff enough for what they do. Everyone is always so smiley, it's like they all love the job they do and what a difference to the atmosphere that makes. I love going to visit her now whereas before I never knew what I might be faced with next. It has certainly made my life a whole lot easier and I am so delighted my Mum is so happy. Well done to the manager and the whole team. They have all been amazing.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, I am so pleased to read your feedback. All the best!
What a wonderful home, the environment is lovely, very welcoming and clean. The whole team from the very top are wonderful the home manager was extremely supportive and met with me several times whilst transitioning to my partner moving to care. The activities were wonderful. I won’t stop recommending this home to friends
Thank you for leaving a review, I'm so pleased you would recommend us, wishing you all the best.
Great facilities. The design of the lounge adds to a sense of community. The staff are patient, kind and supportive. Feel grateful that my father is in this particular care home.
Thank you so much for leaving Maiden Castle a 5* review. I am delighted to know your father is enjoying life with us. All the best.
Mum has spent four very happy weeks here and made some good friends, she was sad to say goodbye. The care home I had originally booked let us down at the last minute and I couldn't be more grateful to the staff here for organising Mum's stay so quickly for me. From my first phone call until I came to bring Mum home, all the staff have been amazing, so patient and kind with nothing being too much trouble. It's a really happy and nurturing place and I will definitely be booking Mum in for respite again (I hope they'll have space!). Thank you all so much.
Thank you for your review, I am so pleased with how happy both you and Mum were with Maiden Castle House. We look forward to welcoming Mum back in the future.
Not much to say other than from management to the care staff, it is a wonderful service and made my aunt feel like it was home. I will be forever grateful for Maiden Castle. They gave my aunt the best she could have.
Wishing you all the best.
My sister and I have just lost our lovely mum. Mum was a resident in Maiden Castle House for nearly 6 years. My sister and I cannot recommend this care home enough. Words will not express how we feel. Mum always called Maiden Castle House her home. Which it was. Mum had friends in the home of whom she was very fond of. Staff have always gone that extra mile to ensure Mum was safe, clean and comfortable in all the time she was a resident. Mum was taken ill a few weeks ago and in that time my sister and I spent many hours of every day with Mum. We saw that absolutely nothing was too much trouble. Her carers made sure she always had clean clothes on. Mum was offered whatever she wanted to eat or drink, be it, soup, jelly or ice cream. What is special to me is that during a night stay we were offered drinks, food, a pop-up bed etc. The staff made sure my sister and I had so much support it was like we were with extended family. At the end Mum was made very cosy and all staff supported us. Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to leave Maiden Castle House a review. I am so sorry to learn of your mothers passing. It really does mean the world to the staff to read such lovely comments like this. Wishing you and your family all the very best for the future.
My wife stayed for respite, her needs were very high, however, the team met her needs with the utmost dignity and was really happy with her stay. When she needs another holiday she will be returning to Maiden Castle House. I was most impressed with the management team from viewing the home to pre-admission and they were amazing on the day of the move even helping me take all her belongings to her room! I am most satisfied.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. I am delighted that your mum has enjoyed her stay with us, we look forward to welcoming her back for her next holiday!
We are always made to feel welcome when we visit the home. The staff are fantastic and always attentive to Mum's needs. Mum is happy and enjoys the variety of activities put on. Thank you for looking after her.
We were so lucky to find a perfect care home. Ash and team are amazing
10/10 all departments in my opinion
Residents seem to be left to their own devices most of the day. One carer referred to a resident as 'No 31' (her room number) instead of her name.
We pride ourselves on our excellent standards of care, communication and social interaction at Maiden Castle House. We are disappointed to read that we have not met your expectations on this occasion. We would be pleased to discuss your specific concerns if you contact the Home Manager directly on 01305 251661 or by email.
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.”
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