






Harwood House Luxury Care is a highly praised 31 room care home with nursing in a beautiful property in Cookham Dean, Maidenhead, with magnificent views over Windsor and the Thames Valley. Their philosophy of luxury care colours everything they do, from the way the home looks and feels, to the way they organise the care they provide.
In 2010 Harwood House completed a £2m development programme designed to create an environment...
Care Provided by Harwood House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 35 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
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Bariatric Care/Obesity
- Convalescent Care
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Our fees are dependent upon the room selected and are inclusive of all charges except hairdresser, chiropody, newspapers and physio therapy fees.
Contact Harwood 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
- Harwood House Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Rebecca Laing(Registered Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2021
- Number of floors: 4
Room Information
- Single Rooms (35)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (35)
Visiting
- Visitors are welcome by appointment
Parking
- Parking available on site
Harwood House Reviews (51)
Harwood House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.757) out of 10, based on 12 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Harwood House has 51 reviews.
I loved the hillside environment with its huge trees and the well cared for, well-watered, garden that I could walk straight out onto (no small task keeping the garden watered in the heat of this June, but it made such a difference to me that the plants were colourful and positively glowing with good health).
The staff were amazing. Nothing was too much trouble and everything was done with a smile. I was impressed too, how information was carefully handled, so that a message or request made to one member of staff would be accurately passed on wherever it needed to go. I could not have wished for anything better!
I'd be grateful if you would share my comments with all staff who helped care for me.
There was an issue about security when a door refused to lock in the extreme heat, but the QA Manager was instantly on the case.
With sincere thanks and my very best wishes.
Shez
We are delighted to hear that you found your post-operative care so supportive and that our team helped make your stay comfortable and reassuring. It is especially encouraging to know that our...
Harwood House exceeded our expectations and we would not hesitate to recommend it to family and friends. My mum stayed there for two weeks for post operative care and received outstanding nursing from several different staff. She stayed in the lovely Broomhill Suite with stunning views as far as the castle. She was extremely happy there and very well looked after. The service and contact we received from our first visit and throughout the stay was top rate.
Thank you for your kind review and for your recommendation of Harwood House, which exceeded your expectations. We are delighted that you and your mum thought our Broomhill Suite was lovely and were able to enjoy the stunning views over the Thames Valley as far as Windsor Castle. More importantly we...
I felt like I was in a 5-star hotel!
Thank you for taking the time to provide a review following your stay at Harwood House. We are delighted that you found the location beautiful and the gardens lively. More particularly it is very important to us that you found that the care and nursing could not have been better, with patience and understanding from all the staff. The team are very pleased that you felt you were in a 5-star hotel.
I have found the staff and management to be very welcoming and friendly. My dad moved in in April. Whenever we visit he is always clean and tidy. I like the weekly emails i get sent letting me know the menu for the week and the weekly activities. When we visit we are always asked how we are and if we would like a drink. My dad is receiving excellent care.
Thank you for taking the time to review Harwood House. It is encouraging to know that you have found the staff and management very welcoming and friendly, that your dad is always kept clean and tidy and is receiving excellent care, and that you are receiving good communication on the menu for the week and weekly activities.
The end of life support was tremendous, our friend was always dressed, clean and well groomed and all his medical needs taken care of. Not only did staff tend to our friends needs but nursing staff were so compassionate towards us, checking we were ok and had drinks etc when visiting.
We cannot thank Harwood enough and would have no hesitation in recommending the home to anyone.
Thank you for your kind review reflecting on your observation of a friend's experience at Harwood House over an 18 month period. It is encouraging to know you observed first hand great food, care, compassion and dignity shown towards not only your friend but other residents too. Thank you in...
An excellent care home which has a very welcoming homely feel to it. It has the vibe of a country house hotel rather than a hospital which is very nice.
My parents were both in there for c 6 weeks and the care they received was exceptional especially as they both had different needs / reasons for being in there. My mother had a non-weight bearing broken leg for most of the time she was there and the round the clock nursing care was faultless. I can honestly say that all of the staff, bar none, had a very positive and 'can do' attitude and all appeared to be happy in their work.
Residents are constantly checked up on (including every 2 hours during the night) and the level of staffing was very good. The food was excellent and the chef was happy to cook anything individually required if the residents did not fancy the day's menu.
We put my parents in Harwood House upon a recommendation and would certainly not hesitate to recommend it to others if asked.
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that your parents received "exceptional" person centered care. Thank you also for giving a shout out to our staff team: their positive, can do attitude, who worked diligently around the clock providing "faultless" care for your...
My mother moved to Harwood House reluctantly as she would not admit to needing the extent of care she so clearly did. Right from the start she was made to feel so welcome and safe. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff, and they work so hard on her physical health and well-being. She loves her meals and has put on weight since moving there; there is also enough variety to keep her interested. She has loved the chance to bring in her own pictures and bits for her room, which creates a lovely talking-point for visitors and carers. There are great opportunities to take part in activities, and even though mum is a bit of a loner, the staff respect her wishes and encourage rather than cajole! Christmas at Harwood was a revelation. The building looked magical and exciting: mum spent most of the day 'off-site', but was welcomed back with open arms, and to a warm and prepared room with the blinds down and lights on. She counts the staff as friends and she knows she is well cared for.
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that your mother felt so welcome and safe right from the start of her care at Harwood House. The staff are always encouraged to hear that their hard work, high service levels and desire to make Harwood House a personal place to live...
The staff and management are all long standing and it runs like a family run business.
It is organised, well managed and the management, nursing and care staff are very attentive to the individual needs of residents.
It has a happy and calm atmosphere and very welcoming to visitors and relatives.
Facilities are excellent.
The Wellbeing Team do a wonderful job keeping activities going every day of the week from 10.00 am - 7.30 pm and making regular visits to those who cannot leave their rooms.
This Nursing Home is to be highly recommended
Thank you so much for your warm review and high recommendation. The nursing and care team are very encouraged to know that their attention to the individual needs of residents is noticed by residents and their families. The Wellbeing team thoroughly enjoy providing regular activities for all inside and outside Harwood House; your compliments are gratefully received.
My mother has been a permanent resident at Harwood House for over a year now and continues to be very happy in her new home. Right from the outset, the care and support we received was amazing. Nursing staff visited my mother in hospital to fully understand her medical needs and to create a smooth transition, and I was guided carefully through the administration. This attention to detail and personalised care and support is exemplary and is a hallmark of the home. Set deep in the beautiful countryside of Cookham Dean, Harwood House is a wonderful building inside and out, with characterful rooms and beautiful well tended gardens and terraces. Spotlessly clean and tastefully decorated, it sometimes feels like you're walking into a 5* hotel! The staff across the board are friendly, approachable and dedicated, and the range of weekly activities, trips out and social events for everyone is incredible. Thank you to everyone at Harwood House!
Thank you for taking the time to write a wonderful review about Harwood House. It is very encouraging to read about the very positive experience that you and your mother continue to have at Harwood House. Your mother is a very active member of the Harwood House community, and participates with...
Our Mother was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in January 2025 and we chose Hardwood House to care for her in her final months.
From the start the standard of care has been exceptional - every time my three sisters or I visited we witnessed the staff looking after our Mother and other residents incredibly well. Empathising with the pain, anger, worry of the residents and always trying to do what was best for them.
Despite our Mother being quite demanding about her food, Harwood House bent over backwards to cater for her requirements. They never complained and every time we visited they would ask us if we wanted tea / coffee or anything else.
The actual residence is spotless, our Mother's room was really large and well equipped.
Despite the sadness of her passing we have absolutely no regrets that she spent her last 6 months at Harwood. We have so much gratitude to the staff it's untrue and wouldn't hesitate to recommend the care home to anyone.
Thank you for your kind words about the team and residence at Harwood House. It was a privilege to look after your Mother in the final months of her life. She was a very warm and friendly person with a very big presence in the Home which the team are all missing.
My mother went to Harwood House when she was 86 and had started having falls. Her eyesight was poor, as was her hearing, and her mobility was increasingly limited. Although she wasn't keen to leave her home, she settled in quickly. This was because Harwood was like a real family thanks to the staff. All of the staff, whether carers, nurses, administrators, well being counsellors, laundry and kitchen staff and gardeners care about their guests, which also probably accounts for the low staff turnover. Harwood doesn't seem like a care home, but more like a rather nice boutique hotel for an older generation. As Mum's health deteriorated, the patience and care of the staff increased. Mum was happy and felt safe, secure and well fed. Visits were not a chore, and more of a pleasure to be with my Mum and her extended 'family'. It must have been good as Mum lived happily until she was 96. Thank you Harwood.
It was an honour and privilege to have been chosen by your mother, you and your family to look after her in the last ten years of her life. We enjoyed getting to know you all and seeing your mother, in particular, become part of our Harwood House family. Thank you for your kind words about all the...
Within a week she was calling saying how much she enjoyed her room, the attention from staff and the congeniality of other elder care persons - while also having the flexibility to still attend her church and some other social gatherings.
She stayed for I think 2-1/2 years before quickly going downhill and passing during Covid. The family cannot thank the staff enough for all they did to support her - and us - during this 2-1/2 year period. Our photos of celebrating her 94th birthday at Harwood House will be a memory for us all to cherish.
Thank you everyone.
Thank you for taking the time to write a review and for your kind comments which provide great encouragement to all the staff and management at Harwood House. We are delighted that your mother enjoyed her room, the attention from staff and the congeniality of other elder care persons. We hope that you will continue to have wonderful memories of your mother and her time at Harwood House.
A very nice experience and the staff very helpful. I was only there for a short time but I really felt looked after.
Thank you for your kind comments, and also for all the lovely compliments you paid everyone at Harwood House whilst you were a guest. It was a real pleasure to assist you, take care, Best wishes, Cindy Tabram
The whole team at Harwood House were utterly amazing and we cannot thank them all enough for everything that they did for my father. Everyone was so kind and attentive and they all demonstrated such wonderful care looking after my father brilliantly. We cannot thank them enough, they were all superb. If anyone is looking for a care home place for a loved one to go, you could not do better than Harwood House!
The whole team at Harwood House appreciate your very kind comments. Every resident who we care for is special and we count it a privilege to have been trusted to care for your father.
I had a very nice comfortable room with a large window, shower room and TV. It was cleaned every day.
The food was excellent, varied with large helpings! The laundry service was very efficient.
I would recommend Harwood House to all my friends needing good care and attention.
Thank you so much for the lovely review following your stay with us at Harwood House. It was our pleasure and if you ever need support in the future, we will be here to help. Kindest regards - Assistant Manager.
The residents’ visitors can visit at anytime with no notice required - total transparency!
Residents are never bored as there are activity coordinators on site every day. I would highly recommend Harwood House.
Thank you for your wonderful review which is such an encouragement to all the team at Harwood House. It was a privilege to care for and befriend your father during his time with us. His warmth and generosity of spirit will long be remembered by everyone at Harwood House. He will be greatly missed.
Always something going on during the day by the well-being team, keeping both mind and body stimulated.
A great place to stay if needed and I would feel happy staying here myself.
We greatly appreciate the feedback, and I will pass this on to the entire team here at Harwood House.
Kind regards
My husband, who has advanced Parkinson's, stayed at Harwood House for just over a week for Respite Care whilst I went away for a break. He is quite disabled but had excellent care from all the nurses and care workers. He has a medication pump which was well-managed. He enjoyed his stay and all the various activities, particularly the quizzes and the visit to a local gallery. His room was very light and comfortable. He was helped to walk around the lovely garden and supervised during his exercises. The various members of our family who came to visit were made welcome. Knowing that he was well looked after enabled me to enjoy my holiday. I can recommend it.
It is always so rewarding that we can pass your nice review to our staff and it is wonderful to know we are making a difference,
Best wishes,
Cindy
My mum is currently in Harwood House and she says the staff are very attentive. She is there to recover after an injury. The team are professional, the food looks good and the environment is clean and comfortable with a well-tended garden to enjoy. I would recommend it.
It was a pleasure to look after your mother and help her to get back on her feet, we wish her well, Kind regards.
As daily visitors our entire family were always made welcome, looked after and kept informed of any developments. When one of our son's flew in from Switzerland, as Grandma was nearing the end, the chef kindly made him breakfast as he had not eaten for 24 hours. This thoughtful attitude was reflected throughout the home from the most senior management to the, usually unseen, catering and cleaning staff. Highly recommended.
And wonderful to get such a lovely review from you.
It was a privilege to know you all, and we are glad you felt welcomed and supported by the whole team, this is much appreciated and your kind review will be passed on to everyone.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 06 November 2025Requires improvement
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeRequires improvement
- Well-ledRequires improvement
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 (0)
There are no news items for Harwood House.
There are no upcoming events for Harwood House.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for Harwood House.
Meet the Team (1)

Morag Forsyth, trained as an SRN (now known as Registered Nurses) in Glasgow. Moving south she joined the staff of Harwood House in December 1989. Today she is our Matron Director. Excellence in nursing is in her DNA; the comfort, safety and well-being of each resident is her priority. With a sense of humour, she cheerfully and efficiently keeps the show on the road supported by a very good team. Morag has seen the house and gardens transformed in the last fifteen years to be the safe and elegant home it is today.
Frequently Asked Questions about Harwood House
What types of Care is Harwood House registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Harwood House have?
There are 35 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Harwood House?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, 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 Harwood House to the centre of Maidenhead?
2.6 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 Harwood House to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Harwood House has an Enhanced Service -more info.