Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home

Hornsbury Hill, Chard TA20 3DB
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9.5 16 Reviews
  • Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home, Chard
Yew Tree Cottage is a small privately owned, well-established care home on the outskirts of Chard.

The home provides 24-hour permanent, respite and day care for older people, with or without dementia.

Waking night staff are on hand every night to assist with the needs of the clients. Yew Tree Cottage consistently receives Good inspection reports from all the regulatory inspection bodies.

The home is owned and managed by a qualified nurse who specialised in care of the elderly, her husband, and a team of suitably trained, mature, support staff. The couple have owned and run Yew Tree Cottage for the past 18 years.

The main house has five large en-suite rooms and the annex is available for single or double occupancy, ideal for a couple who would like supported living accommodation. The home is fitted out to a high standard and has large, accessible landscaped gardens with an abundance of birds and wildlife.

The Home is pet friendly and is registered with the Cinnamon Trust. The owners have three small terriers who are regular visitors to the home.

The Home takes its lead from its clients in regards to activities ensuring that everyone gets to do what they would like. The same is said about the menu provision; being a small Home, they can cater to everyone's individual taste.

Yew Tree Cottage prides itself on its high standard of care in a warm and caring, yet professional environment, and viewing is highly recommended to appreciate this unique boutique care home.
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Care Provided by Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home

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 7 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Convalescent Care
  • Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
  • Day Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Close to Local shops
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Stairlift
  • Gardens
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees What's included?

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: £1400 – £1450
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1400 – £1450
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: £1450 – £1450
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1450 – £1450

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Contact Yew Tree Cottage Residential 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)

Contact Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:

Good to Know

Owner

  • Ambridge Estates Ltd
  • Privately Owned

Person in Charge

  • Sarah Ambridge (Manager/Owner)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Information

  • Ages 50+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No
  • Last Refurbishment: 2024
  • Number of floors: 2

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (5)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (1)

Visiting

  • Visitors are always welcome.

Parking

  • There is onsite parking

Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home Reviews (16)

9.5

Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.482) out of 10, based on 5 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home has 16 reviews.

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Review from Jasper S (Son of Resident) published on 29 December 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother was placed in this home one month ago and this review is based on my daily visits over a 9 day period.
Care provided by staff is outstanding. Cosistant attention is given to understanding and meeting my mother's individual needs with dignity. Now that my mother has high needs for support
due to dementia, this home surpasses quality of care day and night that we were able to acheieve whilst she lived at home.
Reply from Sarah Ambridge RN, Manager/Director at Yew Tree Cottage Residential HomeThank you for such a positive review.
We always strive to give personalised holistic care to all our residents to ensure they are living their best lives with the support from our excellent staff team.
Supporting families to come to terms with moving a loved one into care is a massive step and feedback like this shows we are on the right track.
We are pleased that you appreciated our support and you were able to benefit from our relatives accommodation which allowed you to spend so much time with your Mother and also to see how we interacted and supported her 24hrs a day.
We look forward to your next stay with us and getting into the garden.
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Review from Luke S (Grandson of Resident) published on 21 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A really warm, friendly home where nothing is ever too much trouble for the staff. Meals are freshly prepared with a good range of choice. All needs are taken care of where possible including trips to appointments and requests for particular shopping items. Always a pleasure to visit.
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Review from Colin S (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 17 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother-in-law took up residency at Yew Tree Cottage earlier this year in May 2025 and all her family are very pleased with the care she receives. The owners, who are 'hands on' and all the staff are very kind, attentive and always make sure she is well looked after. It's very reassuring for her to
be in such a comfortable and welcoming place and it's testament to the owners that all the staff have been employed there long term.
Reply from Sarah Ambridge RN, Director at Yew Tree Cottage Residential HomeThank you for the lovely review. It means a lot that clients who have been through so
Much are settled and contented. She has plenty of visitors and trips out.
The family support if amazing
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Review from Paul S (Son of Resident) published on 7 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I couldn't recommend Yew Tree Cottage more highly. All the staff are extremely conscientious, and make sure that my father is very well cared for (as are all the other residents from what I have seen). My father is treated with the utmost respect, kindness, compassion, dignity - and humour when appropriate.
My father is very happy staying at Yew Tree Cottage (and has said so often), and I am sure that all the other residents are treated equally as well.
Reply from Sarah Ambridge, Director at Yew Tree Cottage Residential HomeThank you for your lovely review. Your Father is an absolute gentleman to care for.
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Review from Penny H (Daughter of Resident) published on 5 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A lovely home from home with a lovely calm atmosphere and a lovely garden. Staff are very caring and friendly and welcoming when I visit. My Father feels he is home and is happy there. Always very clean and lovely home cooked food. I always leave, after a visit, that he is well cared for
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Review from Heather P (Wife of Resident) published on 7 May 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Cannot fault the service my husband receives from the home directors, a really friendly and helpful couple. The care staff are always helpful and caring to my husband's needs and nothing is to much trouble.
It makes me happy to see my husband happy and settled into a lovely environment at Yew Tree
Cottage.
Would highly recommend to anyone.
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Review from Roger M (Nephew of Resident) published on 29 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Yew Tree Cottage is a small residential care home, more like someone's country home with no sense of an institutional building. All the staff are very friendly but professional in what they do and my Aunt has settled in much more easily than we could initially have hoped for. She receives excellent
care and attention.
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Review from Mary C (Wife of Resident) published on 2 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am very happy to let the care home look after my husband. He's absolutely happy to go. I feel very relaxed while he's away.
Reply from Sarah-Jane Ambridge, Owner/Manager at Yew Tree Cottage Residential HomeThank you, Mary, as usual, your husband is always a pleasure to have.
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Review from M P (Friend of Resident) published on 22 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
After visiting my elderly friend here since she became a resident, I am never ceased to be amazed at how lovely the home is.
There is always laughter to be heard and a wonderful aroma of fresh flowers or home cooking.
Kind and caring staff, always the same continuity of care really is the key to this
home's great reputation and the proposed extension for an extra two residents will make some lucky clients very happy.
Reply from Sarah-Jane Ambridge, Owner/Manager at Yew Tree Cottage Residential HomeThank you for your lovely comments, I will pass them on to the girls. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
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Review from Wendy E (Friend of Resident) published on 22 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Friendly and helpful staff and warm, relaxing country home atmosphere made the move so much easier for my friend. She feels safe and secure in their hands and this has led to a great improvement in her overall health and disposition.
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Review from Linda S (Daughter of Resident) published on 19 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother was very fortunate to find a room for respite care at Yew Tree Cottage. She absolutely loved her stay and is already planning to book again for next year! The staff who own and run the home are a great team, very professional, and an absolute delight to be with. The gardens are beautifully
kept and provide a wonderful and stimulating environment. All the food I saw was home made (even tailored to individual residents) and of a very high standard. Residents are very much treated as family members by the owners, who I have regularly seen 'going the extra mile' to help and support those in their care. Conversation and activities are encouraged to keep residents alert and engaged. I was also made very welcome when visiting my Mum and taking her out - this is just as important for family as for residents themselves. I would not hesitate to recommend this residential home.
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Review from Charles C (Wife of Resident) published on 15 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband has just spent the week in respite at Yew Tree Cottage where he said he has been treated like a king and nothing had been too much trouble for the owners and staff. The hospitality and care far surpassed any expectations. He enjoyed the company, the food and all the extra help was given which
was quite unexpected but gratefully received. The next stay has already been agreed and he is looking forward to it.
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Review from John C (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 5 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The home is run at a very high standard. Everywhere you go it is spotlessly clean. The food is very good. The staff are excellent in caring for their needs, and keeps everyone happy. The owners are very welcoming and nothing is too much trouble. There is nothing detriment I can say about the home or
staff, very very satisfied.
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Review from M H (Resident) published on 23 December 2015 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very well looked after.
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Review from Judith R (Friend of Resident) published on 27 November 2015 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This home cares for a small number of residents perhaps five or six. I was very impressed with the care and personal touch, staff and owners provided. It had a lovely warm homely feel. I visited a dear friend it felt like her own home. Everywhere was clean. I would be most happy for any relative of
more to be there. Home from home.
Reply from sarah ambridge, Owner/Manager at Yew Tree Cottage Residential HomeThank you Judith.
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Review from Deborah A (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 November 2015 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My dad said everyone was kind, the food was brilliant, also it was lovely and warm. He enjoyed sitting in the conservatory, listening to the indoor birds, but watching the wild birds feed in the garden.
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Current Review Score: 9.5 (9.482)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.5 (9.482) out of 10 for Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 5 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 5 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.982 for Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home is calculated as follows: ( (55 Excellents x 5) + (1 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 56 Ratings = 4.982
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 4.5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home is based on 5 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 = 3.5
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 7 registered maximum number of service users is 1.4, which has been reached with 5 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 10 Jan 2020

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Good
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England. View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (11)

Meet the Team (6)

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Sarah Ambridge RN RM

Job Title: Company Director, Owner and Manager Joined: 2007

Sarah is a Qualified Nurse with many years of experience caring for older people and end-of-life care.


Sarah works both days and nights within the home to provide total care and support for her residents, supported by Catherine, her Deputy.


Sarah maintains her clinical expertise via St Margarets Hospice and the NHS.


After leaving the NHS, where she had been working as Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Tutor and Assessor at The Royal Berkshire Hospital, Sarah remains committed to teaching and delivering a high standard of care to meet individual needs.


Outside work, Sarah enjoys country pursuits with her horse and her dogs and is a keen National Hunt Racegoer. She enjoys gardening, flower arranging and cooking, especially home-grown produce and locally sourced meat and vegetables.


She is an active member of the Royal College of Nursing, which promotes and maintains standards in the Care Sector.

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Graham Ambridge

Job Title: Company Director, Administrator and Sunday Roast Chef! Joined: 2007

Graham is a QS by profession but only works on a consultancy basis now.


He deals with the day to day financial running of the home mainly but his other roles include cooking our renowned Sunday lunches! Assisting with appointment transport and generally keeping everybody happy.
He helps maintain the cottage and the vast grounds with great support from our professional gardener, Chris Bishop.
Outside of work Graham enjoys flying his Microlight plane and walking his three terriers, helping with his wife's horse and following his Syndicate Race Horses.
He enjoys cooking, especially with our home grown and locally sourced produce.

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Catherine Keeffe

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2016

Catherine has supported the home for 10 years, and was a qualified nurse who has moved to the area, from Birmingham, to be nearer her elderly parents.


She has many years of experience both in care homes and in the community.


Catherine is our Moving and Handling assessor, and she supports Sarah with all mandatory training. She specialises in diabetes and stroke management.


She supports Sarah with the day-to-day running of the Home. She works both days and nights, so she has full insight into our residents' needs.


Outside of work, Catherine likes to support her parents, her husband and her soon-to-be 21-year-old daughter, who has recently qualified as an educational goal as a qualified Early Years Practitioner.


Catherine is also an avid fan of Birmingham City football club and enjoys watching Strictly Come Dancing.

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Shayna Knight

Job Title: Senior support worker Joined: 2014

Shayna has been with us for over ten years. She originally came from the hospitality sector. Shayna is passionate about her work, she loves walking, holidays and wine!


She has three grown-up daughters, one of whom worked here during a gap year before going on to be a zoologist!

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Zoe Pring

Job Title: Senior Support Worker Joined: 2024

Zoe joined the team in January 2024.
She is a lively and energetic member of the team with many years of experience in domiciliary care.

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Dawn Burt

Job Title: senior support worker Joined: 2021

Dawn has been with us for nearly 5 years. She has many years of domiciliary care experience.


She is from a farming background and enjoys country shows and steam rallies.

Frequently Asked Questions about Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home

What types of Care is Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home 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 Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home have?

There are 5 Single Rooms and 1 Couple/Companion Room.

What are the Facilities & Services at Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Minibus or other transport, Stairlift, Gardens, Residents Kitchenette, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room & Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home to the centre of Chard?

1.2 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 Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home has an Enhanced Service - more info.