
I can't rate the staff of The Old Vicarage highly enough.Leigh C(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

A huge thank you to the Manager and all her staff for the care and kindness they have shownSue K(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

I have found the care of my relative exceptional.V R(Wife of Resident/Service User)

I can't rate the staff of The Old Vicarage highly enough.Leigh C(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

A huge thank you to the Manager and all her staff for the care and kindness they have shownSue K(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

I have found the care of my relative exceptional.V R(Wife of Resident/Service User)

The Old Vicarage is a welcoming country house care home set in the peaceful Dorset countryside near Sherborne, providing person-centred residential, respite and day care.
Established almost 40 years ago by a local villager, the home has strong links with the local community and a dedicated team, many of whom have worked there for years. Care is shaped around each person's individual needs, preferences and routines, with dignity, respect and choice...
The Old Vicarage is a welcoming country house care home set in the peaceful Dorset countryside near Sherborne, providing person-centred residential, respite and day care.
Established almost 40 years ago by a local villager, the home has strong links with the local community and a dedicated team, many of whom have worked there for years. Care is shaped around each person's individual needs, preferences and routines, with dignity, respect and choice at the heart of everyday life.
The home has 34 single bedrooms arranged over two floors, which vary in size and character. Eight have full en-suite facilities, with the remaining rooms having a toilet and basin. Residents are encouraged to personalise their rooms with personal furniture and treasured belongings.
Activities take place seven days a week and include exercise and movement, singing and dancing, book club, gardening, yoga, crafts, piano playing, visiting entertainers, themed days and trips to local places of interest. The home also maintains close links with the surrounding community.
The extensive two-acre gardens are a particular feature of The Old Vicarage, with mature trees, lawns, 230 roses, an orchard, a pond and areas for gardening. Wheelchair-accessible areas help ensure residents with different mobility levels can spend time outdoors.
Staff prepare fresh, homemade meals each day using local suppliers and encourage residents to share their ideas and preferences. Individual dietary requirements, allergies, likes and dislikes, preferred portion sizes, and mealtimes are all taken into account for each resident.
The home's location provides convenient access to Sherborne and the surrounding Dorset countryside, with local attractions and community activities offering further opportunities for days out.
Care Provided by The Old Vicarage Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- For a maximum of 41 Service Users
Other Care Provided
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Stairlift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Contact The Old Vicarage Care Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact The Old Vicarage Care Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Tours
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Healthcare Homes Group Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Yvonne Smith (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Last Refurbishment: 2011
- Number of floors: 1
Room Information
- Single Rooms (34)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (8)
Parking
- Ample parking on site
The Old Vicarage Care Home Reviews (99)
The Old Vicarage Care Home has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.484) out of 10, based on 26 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Old Vicarage Care Home has 99 reviews.
My mother recently entered The Old Vicarage Care Home a bit nervous to start with, but she and us were won over by the care and kindness of the staff. We had done our research and knew this home had a high rating, but you never really know until you have seen the staff in action. They have been...
My mother recently entered The Old Vicarage Care Home a bit nervous to start with, but she and us were won over by the care and kindness of the staff. We had done our research and knew this home had a high rating, but you never really know until you have seen the staff in action. They have been magnificent. Mum is happy and so are we. Thanks to all the staff.
Thank you so much for your review. I'm very pleased Mum is settling so well with us. All credit to the amazing staff we have!
My father moved to The Old Vicarage in July 2020, and I am delighted that he has the opportunity to be there, all the staff are fantastic, caring people. Dad is happy and extremely well looked after. Thank you.
My father moved to The Old Vicarage in July 2020, and I am delighted that he has the opportunity to be there, all the staff are fantastic, caring people. Dad is happy and extremely well looked after. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your views with us! I am so pleased to hear of such a positive experience you've had so far. The whole team work very hard to make new residents feel welcome!
The staff at The Old Vicarage were friendly, kind and caring - each and every one of them, from the management to kitchen staff. Mum really loved her stay at The Old Vicarage, she felt very special. Just what she needed at this difficult time.
The staff at The Old Vicarage were friendly, kind and caring - each and every one of them, from the management to kitchen staff. Mum really loved her stay at The Old Vicarage, she felt very special. Just what she needed at this difficult time.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Your Mum was much loved by so many people and it was a privilege to have met her. Our aim is to ensure everyone has this experience at The Old Vicarage thanks to the great work of the staff team!
Amazing care home! Could not fault the care. I used this home for a lady I look after while I went on holiday. The process was quick and easy. COVID tests were on point. The manager was amazing and so was the deputy. I picked up 2 weeks later and my lady was clean and tidy, smelt lovely and I had...
Amazing care home! Could not fault the care. I used this home for a lady I look after while I went on holiday. The process was quick and easy. COVID tests were on point. The manager was amazing and so was the deputy. I picked up 2 weeks later and my lady was clean and tidy, smelt lovely and I had all her belongings. 2 carers helped her out of the home and they were compassionate and patient with her. The communication was second to none I was informed of everything. I would highly recommend this home and will definitely use again. 5 stars.
Thank you so much for such a lovely review. I'm incredibly proud to be part of such a caring and dedicated team that work very hard to make people's experience happy and relaxed. We are so glad that the resident in question had such a positive time with us!
My mother aged 99 was very happy with the care, especially at first. As the months went on; she began to feel a bit "marooned" as she chose to stay in her room due to being at risk of falls and incontinence. The last week of her life, the care was excellent. The love and dignity which I witnessed...
My mother aged 99 was very happy with the care, especially at first. As the months went on; she began to feel a bit "marooned" as she chose to stay in her room due to being at risk of falls and incontinence. The last week of her life, the care was excellent. The love and dignity which I witnessed at first-hand was awesome. The staff were always welcoming and ready to communicate with me. They let me know in good time when Mum fell seriously ill.
Thank you very much for your kind review. We are incredibly proud of the high standard of care we provide. To receive positive feedback, telling us we are doing well means a lot to us as a team.
As I live abroad, I needed a home that could give me the peace of mind knowing that my mother was in the very best care. My mother was a resident at The Old Vicarage from August 1st 2019 until her death this January. The level of care was exemplary and the compassion, commitment, sensitivity and...
As I live abroad, I needed a home that could give me the peace of mind knowing that my mother was in the very best care. My mother was a resident at The Old Vicarage from August 1st 2019 until her death this January. The level of care was exemplary and the compassion, commitment, sensitivity and respect of all staff members was outstanding. Whenever I visited I felt uplifted by the energy, creativity and team spirit of all personnel and residents. This was a house of joy and comfort! I couldn’t have asked for more and am eternally grateful for all generosity of spirit, professionalism and dedication of all involved.
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us a review. We are very proud of the work we do at The Old Vicarage which enables our staff to provide the highest quality care such as this!
We live in Dorset and are fairly local to The Old vicarage and have heard nothing but good about it as a place providing care, so when my husband had his recent stroke it was my first place of choice for him on leaving hospital and we were fortunate in that a place was available we have no reason...
We live in Dorset and are fairly local to The Old vicarage and have heard nothing but good about it as a place providing care, so when my husband had his recent stroke it was my first place of choice for him on leaving hospital and we were fortunate in that a place was available we have no reason to regret our choice.
Excellent care and all personal requirements dealt with promptly and very courteously. Very satisfied with all aspects of my stay.
Excellent care and all personal requirements dealt with promptly and very courteously. Very satisfied with all aspects of my stay.
I have been visiting a resident in the care home for the last year. I also take her in my car to visit her relatives. We tried home care, she was not happy and made it very difficult for the carers. We had two carers walk out on her. We phoned The Old Vicarage Care Home asking if they had a room...
I have been visiting a resident in the care home for the last year. I also take her in my car to visit her relatives. We tried home care, she was not happy and made it very difficult for the carers. We had two carers walk out on her. We phoned The Old Vicarage Care Home asking if they had a room for her and one was available. We settled her in a room and she has been very happy there. She is always telling me how nice her carer is. I have personally found the management and staff very helpful. She is well dressed, her room is clean, neat and tidy.
Thank you so much for your kind review. It is very rewarding to hear that you are happy with the service provided. I will be sure to pass your comments onto the staff at The Old Vicarage.
I have been visiting two of my private clients at the home several times during the week and occasionally at a weekend during the past year. I always find the staff extremely friendly and welcoming and I have seen a great improvement in respect of the activities due to a new co-ordinator who works...
I have been visiting two of my private clients at the home several times during the week and occasionally at a weekend during the past year. I always find the staff extremely friendly and welcoming and I have seen a great improvement in respect of the activities due to a new co-ordinator who works really hard to engage with residents and help them to find things to do that they enjoy. The day room has gone from being a place where people sit quietly not doing much to being a hive of activity, where people can take part in activities but even if they don't want to, it's encouraged conversation between other residents which has helped them to bond. I have noticed that the dining room furniture has been updated but it would be nice to see the armchairs replaced and pressure cushions provided for each one so that everyone who uses the day room can have a nice comfortable chair. The overall care is very good but more attention to the little things would help improve things even more.
The team work very hard and will be delighted to hear that you find the care and support provided by The Old Vicarage excellent.
My client is and has been very happy with the service she has received over the last few years.
My client is and has been very happy with the service she has received over the last few years.
As soon as she saw her room for the first time my mother said 'I could live here'. From day one, each time we visit, the staff are quick to recognise us. We always find my mother warm, clean, well dressed, well fed and happy. At 90 she is now, positively looking forward and hoping for a good few...
Daily, I get requests from her to bring a sun hat, pretty necklaces, outdoor clothes etc., this is the first time I have seen her happy since she was widowed 8 years ago.
Our heartfelt thanks to you for the lovely words to describe the care of your mum. I will make sure that staff are aware of your comments, as your feedback is very important to us. I always say that we are the ones who should be grateful for the opportunity to support our wonderful residents, so...
Our heartfelt thanks to you for the lovely words to describe the care of your mum. I will make sure that staff are aware of your comments, as your feedback is very important to us. I always say that we are the ones who should be grateful for the opportunity to support our wonderful residents, so thank you for allowing us that opportunity. We are blessed to have such wonderful residents entrusted in our care.
My father went to The Old Vicarage for respite care. He was extremely well looked after and very well fed. The staff were very kind and caring. We would have no hesitation in using The Old Vicarage in the future.
My father went to The Old Vicarage for respite care. He was extremely well looked after and very well fed. The staff were very kind and caring. We would have no hesitation in using The Old Vicarage in the future.
The Old Vicarage is a very well run care home. I know several of the long-term residents who say they have first-class care. The Old Vicarage encourages residents to bring their pets to stay with them. Residents have a choice of many activities inside and away from the care home. Residents attend...
The Old Vicarage is a very well run care home. I know several of the long-term residents who say they have first-class care. The Old Vicarage encourages residents to bring their pets to stay with them. Residents have a choice of many activities inside and away from the care home. Residents attend the monthly lunch club at the Leigh Village Hall, next door.
This care home is staffed by people who really do care and who get to know the residents very well. Food is hot and tempting. You feel as if your loved one is looked after by a team who love their jobs and take a vocational approach to them. I know that my aunt is well looked after here.
This care home is staffed by people who really do care and who get to know the residents very well. Food is hot and tempting. You feel as if your loved one is looked after by a team who love their jobs and take a vocational approach to them. I know that my aunt is well looked after here.
Thank you for taking the time to review our home. We have had a lot of changes over the last few years and that is why your review is important to us. We aim to continue providing outstanding care for all our residents.
Wonderful atmosphere and setting. All staff from Manager to carers and hairdresser to maintenance have gone out of their way to help my Mother in Law settle in. The Old Vicarage staff also coped extremely well with a recent health scare. So happy with this provision.
Wonderful atmosphere and setting. All staff from Manager to carers and hairdresser to maintenance have gone out of their way to help my Mother in Law settle in. The Old Vicarage staff also coped extremely well with a recent health scare. So happy with this provision.
Thank you for taking the time to send in such a lovely and thoughtful review for our team at The Old Vicarage. I will pass on you kind words to the team, thank you once again.
The Old Vicarage is a delightful Home in the depths of the countryside. The residents are all very happy and very keen to tell you what a lovely home they have. The staff are clearly very caring and professional in their approach. There are a great variety of activities which appear very...
This is a well run and happy home. I would strongly recommend it.
After a period of adjustment after the deaths of the owners, the home is now settled under the care of new management. I detect the same caring attitude among staff that was so evident during the previous owners time at the helm. As far as spiritual matters are concerned, I am pleased that the...
After a period of adjustment after the deaths of the owners, the home is now settled under the care of new management. I detect the same caring attitude among staff that was so evident during the previous owners time at the helm. As far as spiritual matters are concerned, I am pleased that the monthly communion services are continuing, as are the links with the local parish church. I consider it vital that these continue.
The Old Vicarage gave my mother four years of quality life. She was always happy here and was very well cared for despite her tendency to be extremely demanding at times! Despite the change of ownership since her time, I have no doubt that the remaining staff will continue with their excellent...
The Old Vicarage gave my mother four years of quality life. She was always happy here and was very well cared for despite her tendency to be extremely demanding at times! Despite the change of ownership since her time, I have no doubt that the remaining staff will continue with their excellent approach to all their responsibilities.
I have visited the care home on a number of times to attend the coffee morning and events. I commend the amazing management and staff for the incredible work that they all do - they are all so welcoming and it’s heartwarming to see a community come together for coffee mornings and charity events...
I have visited the care home on a number of times to attend the coffee morning and events. I commend the amazing management and staff for the incredible work that they all do - they are all so welcoming and it’s heartwarming to see a community come together for coffee mornings and charity events that often take place at the home. Having been shown around the care home by the manager, I have seen what The Old Vicarage has to offer, it has such a great atmosphere, is very clean and the staff are very thorough with great attention to detail. The Old Vicarage is an integral asset to the local community and it’s all thanks to the great management and staff who have worked throughout recent hardship and ensured they follow through with the home’s ethos.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 14 March 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 (2) & Events (0)
- 13 Nov 2024
At Healthcare Homes, we believe in the power of nature and community to uplift and enhance the lives of our residents and service users. This year’s InBloom 2024 competition brought...
- 13 Nov 2024
Recently the lounge at The Old Vicarage care home, in Leigh, was filled with excitement as one of the dedicated carers, Sarah, brought her daughters and their delightful pets for...
There are no upcoming events for The Old Vicarage Care Home.
Awards / Recognitions (26)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Healthcare Homes Group Ltd
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Healthcare Homes Group Ltd
- 28 Feb 2023Recipient: Healthcare Homes Group Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for The Old Vicarage Care Home.
Meet the Team (11)

What I enjoy the most about my...
I've worked in care for over 30 years. My training includes courses on independence, management and palliative care.What I enjoy the most about my job is meeting new people who come to live with us and their families. It's all about making sure they feel part of our community, having a natter, and really listening to what they want and need. I make sure everyone gets a say in how things are run here, keep everyone in the loop about any changes, and always have a kettle on for visitors.

``I decided to work at The Old Vicarage as I live locally and the hours fitted with my children at the time, and that was in 2007. I don’t have a...
``I decided to work at The Old Vicarage as I live locally and the hours fitted with my children at the time, and that was in 2007. I don’t have a particular favourite time of day. I like it when the morning is over, knowing residents have been attended to and had their needs met.``

I love our welcoming home environment and beautiful grounds, and I’m passionate about making every day a positive one for our residents. I take pride...
I love our welcoming home environment and beautiful grounds, and I’m passionate about making every day a positive one for our residents. I take pride in listening to residents’ needs, supporting them to access the right care, and providing compassionate end-of-life care. I also enjoy building strong relationships with families and am passionate about my role as the home’s Mental Health First Aider. With experience in the NHS and qualifications in health and social care, management, dementia care and training

I feel I make a real difference in residents’ lives while also supporting my care team. I always aim to be kind, caring, compassionate and fun to be...
I feel I make a real difference in residents’ lives while also supporting my care team. I always aim to be kind, caring, compassionate and fun to be around. Having worked here for many years, it means a lot to receive compliments from residents and their families about the care we provide.

I enjoy keeping The Old Vicarage clean, comfortable and welcoming for our residents, families and visitors. As Head Housekeeper, I take great pride...
I enjoy keeping The Old Vicarage clean, comfortable and welcoming for our residents, families and visitors. As Head Housekeeper, I take great pride in working closely with my team and building a positive working relationship with everyone. I particularly enjoy helping residents personalise their rooms so they feel truly at home, as well as making sure their laundry is fresh and their rooms are comfortable and inviting. I have completed in-house training including Health & Safety, COSHH and Manual Handling.

I love being part of such a great team at The Old Vicarage and enjoy creating a varied menu for our residents. Getting to know new residents and...
I love being part of such a great team at The Old Vicarage and enjoy creating a varied menu for our residents. Getting to know new residents and hearing their suggestions for favourite meals is one of my favourite parts of the role, as it helps us make sure everyone feels at home. I really enjoy listening to residents’ ideas and creating meals they love, as well as catering for special occasions such as our famous garden parties and Christmas celebrations. I hold a Level 3 qualification in Catering and Professional Cookery.

I’m happy to be part of the kitchen team at The Old Vicarage, a friendly home with a great atmosphere. I enjoy helping to make sure our residents...
I’m happy to be part of the kitchen team at The Old Vicarage, a friendly home with a great atmosphere. I enjoy helping to make sure our residents receive tasty, nutritious meals and that everyone feels well cared for. I especially love making celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries extra special with delicious cakes and treats. I’ve also completed in-house training, including Food Safety training.

I’m proud to be part of the team at The Old Vicarage, where the management team are very friendly and supportive. I feel comfortable sharing any...
I’m proud to be part of the team at The Old Vicarage, where the management team are very friendly and supportive. I feel comfortable sharing any concerns about residents’ care needs, as well as the positive moments and achievements we see throughout the day. I’m passionate about delivering the highest standard of care and making sure every resident feels supported and valued. I also love working in such a calm and peaceful environment, surrounded by beautiful gardens and nature. I have completed in-house training and mandatory skills training.

I love seeing our residents enjoying themselves, whether they’re singing, dancing or simply having a good chat and a bit of banter. One of my...
I love seeing our residents enjoying themselves, whether they’re singing, dancing or simply having a good chat and a bit of banter. One of my favourite parts of my role is spending one-to-one time with residents, getting to know them and chatting together like old friends. I also enjoy organising special events, from our summer garden party and Christmas celebrations to visits from entertainers. It’s wonderful to see residents having fun and hearing such lovely feedback from their families. I’ve completed in-house training, as well as NAPA and Oomph training.

I love spending my days looking after the gardens at The Old Vicarage and enjoy chatting with residents and involving them in our plans for the...
I love spending my days looking after the gardens at The Old Vicarage and enjoy chatting with residents and involving them in our plans for the grounds. I take pride in creating beautiful, accessible spaces that everyone can enjoy, including new pathways to make the gardens easier for wheelchair users to access. I also love helping residents make the garden feel like their own, from planting special flowers to keeping an eye on our wonderful pond and its Koi and goldfish. I hold an RHS Level 2 Gardening qualification.

I’m delighted to be part of the team at The Old Vicarage. I previously worked here through an agency, so I already knew what a wonderful home it was,...
I’m delighted to be part of the team at The Old Vicarage. I previously worked here through an agency, so I already knew what a wonderful home it was, and when the opportunity to join the team full-time came up, I was very happy to take it. I feel at home here and enjoy coming to work each day. I always do my very best to support our residents and meet their individual needs, and I’m proud to provide care that makes a difference. I trained as a nurse in my home country and have also completed the European Union course for care provision.
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