






Heron House Taunton (previously Abbeyfield Taunton) is situated on the outskirts of Taunton, and offers expert residential care, set within spacious and comfortable accommodation, overlooking pleasant communal gardens.
Bedrooms are furnished to a high standard to ensure resident comfort and the home actively encourages bringing personal items to promote a more homely and familiar space. All bedrooms have their own WC and basin, including 8 single rooms which offer a full...
Care Provided by Heron 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 44 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
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Convalescent Care
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Stairlift
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Accommodation only
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
These figures are only a guide. Fees are dependent on resident need and can be discussed in detail with the General Manager when you make your initial enquiries.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Heron House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Heron 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
Owner
- Heron House Residential Home Ltd
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Paula Howlett(Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Last Refurbishment: 2023
- Number of floors: 1
Room Information
- Single Rooms (32)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (6)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (8)
- Couples/Companion Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (5)
Visiting
- The Home operates an open visiting policy which is led by the residents themselves.
Parking
- Visitor parking available on site
Heron House Reviews (26)
Heron House has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.880) out of 10, based on 17 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Heron House has 26 reviews.
Mum found it difficult to settle initially, but the staff worked patiently with her and she eventually settled and had some wonderfully fulfilling times with lots of fun and involving things on offer.
I wanted to write, particularly, to say how wonderful, thoughtful and professional the staff were whilst Mum lived her final days. As a family, we were supported in being involved in Mum's care as much as we wanted and were able to. Nothing was ever too much trouble. There was a great deal of support and love for Mum and us, as a family. I was overwhelmed by the regular care given both day and night and felt that her personal, emotional and physical care could not have been any better.
Placing a loved one into care is a difficult decision, but the care home - Taunton - helped the process along by showing such love, care and understanding.
It was an absolute pleasure and privilege supporting both Mum and you as her loving family. We miss her but are so pleased that you are going to continue to stay connected with the home.
I moved my mother into the care home from another care home and she has settled in better than I expected or could have hoped for. Her ensuite room is always bright, clean and well cared for and the staff have made a great effort to engage with her and encourage her to join in with the many activities available. The food seems to be varied with plenty of choice and the newly installed residents' bar is a nice addition to the facilities. Staff are always friendly and approachable and there is a sense that someone is always around. Call bells are answered promptly and interactions I have heard and observed have been without fail caring and courteous. Communication with relatives is excellent, including a monthly relatives' meeting which I have found very supportive and helpful. I recommend the care home without reservation.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We feel very privileged to be entrusted with the care of your mother and are so glad that the relatives meeting is of help and support to you.
My dad has been a resident at the care home since June 2023. Over the past three months, we have been delighted with the care he is receiving. The care team treat him with empathy, kindness and respect. The atmosphere in the home is bright and cheerful. Dad has settled very well, his appetite has improved, he is calmer and now starting to communicate and socialise more, with the encouragement of the staff. The family are kept well informed of Dad’s situation and any issues that might arise. After a very difficult two years for the family, we are now very reassured that Dad is in a place which fully supports his needs. Most of all, the care home truly feels as if you are “at home”.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. It is a great pleasure and privilege to care for Dad. We're so glad that he is settling in and that he and his family feel at home.
It is now two years since my mother moved into the care home in Taunton, and throughout that time she has received wonderful care in every respect (including during the very challenging lockdown periods). The home is extremely well run and the facilities are very good and spotlessly clean. There is an excellent range of activities and the food is also excellent (my mother constantly comments about how good it is). The staff take a genuine interest in her as an individual. My mother's health and general well-being have definitely improved as a result of living here (she was previously living in a flat in sheltered accommodation), and it is a great relief to me to feel quite certain that she is in a safe and caring environment. Relatives also receive very clear and regular communication, including involvement in relevant decisions, and the staff and management are highly approachable. I would not hesitate to recommend this home to others, without any reservations.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We are so reassured that you have confidence in the care your mother receives and the relief you feel. It is a pleasure and privilege to care for her.
My mother moved across to the Quantock Unit (dementia care) when her memory was failing. She likes to wander and is always out and about but the gardens are safe, beautiful and available to all. I spend several hours each day with Mum and see all that happens and would certainly recommend it.
Thank you so much for your lovely review and illustration of Mum's journey at the care home. Mum's energy never ceases to amaze us all and we are deeply privileged to continue to care for her. Thank you so much for all your support and feedback to the home too, we really appreciate it.
Couldn’t recommend the home and the staff highly enough. There is such a wonderful atmosphere in the home and I am so pleased they have been awarded an Outstanding CQC rating.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. What a privilege it is that we can support both your parents here at the care home, it is wonderful that they can spend and enjoy their time together!
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 16 August 2023Outstanding
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveOutstanding
- SafeGood
- Well-ledOutstanding
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 (1)
There are no news items for Heron House.
- 07 Aug 2026Organiser: Heron House
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Heron House
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Heron House.
Meet the Team (3)

Paula is a 20 year experienced psychiatric nurse who, since 2013, has been a registered manager, first in residential and later in specialist dementia care.
Paula has a passion for enriching peoples lives through meaningful occupation and promoting independence. She strives to support residents to continue to build relationships-her vision is for life to go on, not stop.
Paula's husband, Rob, is a minister of a busy church, and they have four children who are now young adults.

Kate has been working in the care industry for more than 20 years, during which time she has constantly worked to develop her skills, knowledge and understanding of care for the elderly. Kate has worked in a variety of environments, including nursing and now residential care.
Kate loves supporting and caring for residents who live at Heron House, supporting them to enjoy life to the fullest and being part of their journey.
Alongside a passion for care, Kate has also raised a family and has 5 children, so she is certainly kept busy outside of work too!

As Activities and Wellbeing Lead at Heron House, Nic's role means far more to her than planning daily programmes - it’s about creating joy, connection, and a sense of purpose for the people who live here. Nic is passionate about enriching our residents’ lives, helping them to express themselves, stay active, and feel genuinely seen and valued. Every activity is an opportunity to spark a smile, share a moment, or bring comfort through creativity, community, and care.
Supporting residents’ wellbeing and celebrating their individuality is what drives her. Nic feels deeply fulfilled knowing that she can make a positive impact each day, and takes pride in leading a team that shares the same heart-led dedication. This role isn’t just important to Nic - It’s part of who she is.
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