Dove House

Dairy Lane, Sudbury, Ashbourne DE6 5GX
Review Us
7.7 24 Reviews
  • Dove House, Ashbourne
Dove House is a converted Victorian residence, situated in picturesque countryside, where adults with care needs can achieve a relaxing and satisfying lifestyle assisted by a skilled team and personalised provision.

The focus is on a friendly and home-from-home atmosphere, whether for residential or nursing requirements, or specialist needs like dementia, mental health and physical disability.

Within a property of charm and character, clients have their personal preferences respected and access to a secure garden and conservatory.
Show Dove House on the Map

Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 42 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Convalescent Care

Facilities

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

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1050
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1050
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1050
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1050

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Dove House to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Good to Know

Owner

  • Holy Care Group Ltd

Person in charge

  • Nicola Thacker (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Residents aged 65 years and over
  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Year Purpose Built: 1900
  • Last Refurbishment: 2023
  • Number of floors: 2

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (40)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (22)

Visiting

  • restriction on meal times 12-2

Parking

  • parking on site

Dove House Reviews (24)

7.7

Dove House has a Review Score of 7.7 (7.702) out of 10, based on 1 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Dove House has 24 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 20
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 1
Date Published
  • 24
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 23
Reviewer Connection to Dove House
  • 11
  • 5
  • 2
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
Total of 24, showing 1-20
Review from Karen C (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 September 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My father appears well looked after in Dove House. The room he has is quite plain but in fairness he would be unaware of it anyway.
The staff are always pleasant and friendly. They seem very good with him. They are very good at keeping me in touch with what is happening with Dad's health.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Kaye M (Wife of Resident) published on 16 February 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband went into Dove House in October 2020. Our experience at another, highly rated care home in Ashbourne, had been abysmal. The Covid crisis had made it impossible to look at care homes closely before committing to change but I had no alternative, I had to move my husband. Dove House offered
him everything that the previous care home had not. The carers kept him beautifully clean, tidy and well-fed. He was always dressed in his own clothes, his possessions weren’t continually lost and he was shaved daily. They joked with him, supervised entertainment for him and were a constant source of kindness and support. Sadly, my husband died recently. Although our entire family is devastated, we had the comfort of knowing that in his last few days, he was cared for, by what we consider, as his temporary extended family. Words cannot convey the gratitude we feel to the carers in Dove House.
Reply from Manjit Sandhu, CEO at Dove House

Thank you, we will pass on your kind words to the staff.

  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from J B (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 July 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am very happy with my mum's care at Dove House. The quality of care Mum receives is outstanding, the staff treat her like one of the family and they always ensure she is dressed lovely. She has her own room which she loves, she watches the birds from her bay window and the meals are beautiful. Mum
is very happy and she loves all the staff. She has been in Dove House since April 2019.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from L W (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 July 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum was a resident for nearly five years, and throughout this time, she was treated with dignity and great care. She was very deaf, and the staff always took the time to make sure that she understood what they were doing. The staff were always pleasant and welcoming.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from C P (Son of Resident) published on 29 July 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
My Mum has been in your care since April 2019 and overall everything in my experience is fine. The staff is always willing and helpful and the home is always clean. Apart from a blip when she shared a room for a short period, but now this has been resolved, she is very happy and settled. When Mum needs
medical care, the staff are very quick to get problems sorted.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Janet A-G (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 July 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been at Dove House for 10-years and is very happy; "her home". She has a clean, bright bedroom, everywhere is always clean at Dove House. Good food too. All the staff are caring and have a lovely relationship with mum. I do not live locally, and communication between the home and myself
is excellent always has been, but during the virus, they have been exceptional letting me know how the home is coping, sending messages of how mum is and what she's been doing, and even sending me videos of mum. I will always thank them for that at a time when they were extremely busy they were so thoughtful. "Thank You all". I can highly recommend Dove House.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from S B (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 17 April 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5
My mother in law of 94 went into Dove for some respite, she was only there a week before we took her out. Absolutely no management at all. Basic care and hygiene are appalling although the Nurses are very pleasant.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Philip H (Son of Resident) published on 18 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum has only been in Dove House for less than a year but I've never seen her so happy in years. The place is amazing and highly recommended. It's quality of life that counts and that's exactly what she receives.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Kate S (Friend of Resident) published on 24 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My friend used Dove House for the last three years until her recent death, and I wanted to thank Dove House and all the staff for looking after her so well. She had no family, so during this time the staff at Dove House became her family, and looked after her so well, particularly in recent years since
the new manager has been in post.
I was not able to visit regularly, often just turning up when I could, but was always given a warm welcome, and my friend always well cared for, and comfortable. The staff always talked about her with warmth, knowing her as an individual, not just as another resident, and working to meet her individual needs. When others might have taken her immobility as a progression that was normal, they went above and beyond to get a special chair made and fitted to make sure she could get out and up to join with the rest of the residents.
I am hugely grateful for the care they gave her and would recommend them as a place of care.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Mandy L (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care my mum received was exceptional, all the staff are genuine and work so hard to make every day a good day.
The meals are freshly prepared and of good quality.
The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable and we were always made welcome.
If we asked for anything it was always done efficiently
and we were always kept up to date.


A lovely, warm, welcoming home.

  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Carol R (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My Mother had been in care with Dove House for just under two years. I can honestly say that from the moment she lived with the team at Dove House she has been cared for and loved by the amazing staff who you can clearly see are dedicated to the residents.


The home is spotless as are the residents.

My mother loved her food and as the kitchen has a viewing window you know that the quality and cleanliness are second to none.


Dove House made the last two years of my mother's life comfortable, happy and most of all she felt safe and secure.


Thank you to the manager and the wonderful team for all you have done for my mother. You will alway hold a special place in my heart and my eternal gratitude.

  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from John R (Friend of Resident) published on 23 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This care home is amazing. All the staff are very caring and show a great deal of love and respect for the lady (my dear friend of 20 years) that the staff care for. I call very often to the home and there is always a warm welcome from the staff. Food wise, the kitchen has a big open window so you
can see what is being served for your loved ones. There is always at lunchtime, fresh veg, meat and the food always smells great. On a personal level, I think all the staff do a great job in looking after the residents.


Thank you all at Dove House for the love and support you show my dear friend. May I also say that my friend is very pleased and happy to be with you at Dove House. Please keep up all the good work you do. Thank you so much.

  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Thelma T (Daughter of Resident) published on 8 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother of almost 91 years old has been a resident of Dove House for over 2 years. She has dementia and she recently had her hip pinned at the local hospital but they never gave her any exercise. However, I cannot speak highly enough of the staff at Dove House and the care they have given my mother.
It’s far better than the hospital.


Dove House have got her appetite back with some perseverance of a member of staff feeding her, to the point where she is now feeding herself again. They have got her weight bearing and walking a little with a zimmer - I can’t believe the difference in her.


We read so much about how awful some of these homes are - and we’ve seen some of them - but thank goodness for Dove House and for the manager who runs it all. The food is lovely, the place is clean and the staff are great. It’s not an easy job but thank you all. I would highly recommend Dove House to anyone.

  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from David W (Son of Resident) published on 21 December 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Owing to a change in circumstances my mother moved to Dove House in August 2017. She was depressed, very reluctant to leave her room and refused to visit the lounge or dining room. The management and staff at Dove House have shown her great kindness and patience. The transformation has been remarkable!
She now looks forward to spending at least a couple of hours in the lounge each day and even joined the residents Christmas party at the local pub.
Mum is full of praise for all the staff and so am I. Nothing seems too much trouble.
Her room is nicely decorated and kept spotlessly clean.
This is mums 3rd nursing home and by far the best. One huge difference I've noticed from the others is that everyone seems to have time for a chat or to listen and that little bit of time makes a HUGE difference.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Sheila B (Daughter of Resident) published on 15 December 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
For the past 2 years, we have been very fortunate to have mum cared for by the staff at Dove House, Sudbury. After a recent fall, my mother was admitted to the hospital, having an operation to pin mums hip.


Being almost 91 years of age mum has now lost confidence is very anxious. You hear bad rumours

about care homes but you should never have to fear going into our hospitals! Even the manager of Dove House has stayed at the hospital with us until 10 pm at night. How fortunate we are that Dove House has such caring staff – I can’t praise them enough, nothing is too much trouble. A new bed has already been ordered for mums return on Wednesday. I give three cheers to the manager and staff at Dove House – you are all truly amazing – so thank you again for your superb care.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Harry (Great-grandson of Resident) published on 15 December 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Dove House care home is quite simply a wonderful environment for everyone involved - the residents, the staff and the visitors. My Nanna has been there for a few years and the staff care for her as if she is one of their own - they're polite, helpful and treat her with nothing but the utmost respect.
Staff members have built an excellent rapport with my Nan and the fact that they are able to share jokes with her and make her laugh demonstrates not only their commitment to the job but also the dedication they have to ensure residents don't feel sad, forgotten or alone. The manager is a lovely woman who never fails to go above and beyond to provide what's best for her residents and I have no doubt in my mind that she is 110% committed to Dove House. Overall, the care my Great Nanna receives puts my mind at ease because I know that every employee at Dove House does everything they can to look after her, day in and day out.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Sean H (Son of Resident) published on 15 December 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
We moved my mother to Dove House in 2016 from another care home as she tends to walk around a lot due to her Dementia and this was not possible at her previous home.
We immediately found that Dove House was perfect for us as there are lots of rooms for my mother to wander to all interlinked around
a central courtyard.
There are plenty of staff who are always extremely pleasant and professional in their dealings with me and with my mother and she is encouraged to take part in the many activities that are carried out on a daily basis.
On two occasions a doctor has been called to see my mother and each time I have been notified immediately.
We have our own room with a private bathroom on the first floor.
I would recommend Dove House to anyone looking for a care home in the Burton, Uttoxeter areas.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Julie H (Niece of Resident) published on 19 October 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My Uncle was at Dove House from February this year until the 20/9/17 and received the most wonderful care from the staff. Nothing was ever too much trouble for them and my Uncle was extremely happy there until he passed away. Therefore, I would have no hesitation in recommending this home to anyone
seeking care for a loved one.


The staff and management have the most wonderful attention to detail with the care they provide which is everything you only want for a loved one.

Reply from Dr S Nagra, Director at Dove House

We thank you for your kind words about the caring staff at Dove House. All our residents ar treated as part of our extended family.

  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Janet M (Wife of Resident) published on 25 May 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is a very caring home. The manager and the staff put residents first every time which is so important. Any concerns I have are dealt with immediately to make sure I am completely at ease and I'm sure I would not have the care for my husband anywhere else to the high standard he currently receives.
I could not fault the manager or the staff and feel my husband, who has dementia, is in the best possible place. It's a beautiful place in equally beautiful surroundings. There are lots of trees and wildlife for him to see and hear - it's wonderful. The food is great, I've been there at mealtimes and there is always a choice of good wholesome food. Of course, if it were an ideal world, I would be at home with my husband but unfortunately, he needs more care than I can provide for him at home. Dove House really is a special place.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Hayley (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 25 May 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have got my nana and my uncle in this care home and I cannot rate the care given to them enough. I would highly rate the home and the care given to my relatives. Nothing is too much trouble, the carers are all brilliant. My nana is quite a picky eater and the chefs in the home are really good.
The manager will go above and beyond to make sure her residents are all looked after and kept well.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 7.7 (7.702)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 7.7 (7.702) out of 10 for Dove House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 1 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.1 out of 5 from 1 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 4.583 for Dove House is calculated as follows: ( (8 Excellents x 5) + (3 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 12 Ratings = 4.583
  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 3.119 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Dove House is based on 1 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 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 = 3
    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 42 registered maximum number of service users is 8.4. 1 Positive Reviews ÷ 8.4 = 0.119
  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

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.

Loading

Loading Loading

Loading

Loading

Awards / Recognitions (0)

Meet the Team (0)

There are no team members posted.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dove House

What types of Care is Dove House registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Mental Health Condition, Physical Disability & Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

How many Rooms does Dove House have?

There are 40 Single Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at Dove House?

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

How far is Dove House to the centre of Ashbourne?

10.2 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 Dove House to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Dove House has an Enhanced Service - more info.