






Cornford House Care Home is a leading residential and nursing care home in Pembury, Kent, close to Tunbridge Wells, set within six acres of landscaped gardens and peaceful countryside. Providing high-quality, affordable elderly care in a warm and welcoming setting that residents can truly call home.
The dedicated team offers 24-hour nursing care and specialist support for a wide range of needs, including dementia care, respite care, and physical frailty. With...
Care Provided by Cornford House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
- Younger Adults
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 74 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
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Special Offer - Receive £200 off per week for the first 12 weeks when you move in as a permanent resident - For a limited time only. T&C's apply. Subject to Availability.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Cornford House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Cornford 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)
Support you may be entitled to
- If you chose a care home based in England, you may be eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC), which helps cover the cost of nursing. This is worth £267.68 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Hartford Care Group Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Marie Louis Crooks (General Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 60+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 2008
- Last Refurbishment: 2023
- Number of floors: 4
Room Information
- Single Rooms (70)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (2)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (66)
- Couples/Companion Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (2)
Visiting
- Visitors are welcome at any time. All the home ask is that visitors sign in using the tablet just inside the main doors in Reception.
Parking
- Plenty of free on-site parking.
Cornford House Reviews (43)
Cornford House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.808) out of 10, based on 27 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Cornford House has 43 reviews.
When visiting my Dad it was always lovely to see how well he was looked after. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff and always offering tea, coffee & biscuits to us. Such a lovely set up.
Thank you for your kind review. We are so pleased to hear that you feel your Dad is well looked after. Providing dedicated, attentive care is our top priority, and we are glad that our team's warmth and hospitality have made such a positive impression on you. We will be sure to share your kind comments with the entire team.
I found the carers to be kind, helpful and always their when needed.
Thank you for your kind feedback. We are so pleased to hear that you found our carers to be kind, helpful, and always available when needed. We will be sure to share your lovely comments with the whole team.
It was clean, warm and friendly.
Lots of lovely activities if you wanted to do them. All the staff were very friendly and professional, thorough and thoughtful.
I thoroughly recommend this care home to people looking for the best care for their friend or relative.
Thank you for taking the time to write this wonderful review, it really means a lot to us.
So my dad has been in the care home since the middle of October after a nasty fall. The care he has received has been nothing short of first class always so welcoming when we come to see him, keep us up-to-date with everything concerning dad I can't fault them at all.
Thank you for this 5 star review, it means a lot. I will be sure to share your lovely comments with the team.
When mum was discharged to assess to Cornford House it was a distressing time for mum and the family. She couldn't live at home anymore due to her complex needs. Change can be very unsettling and scary. The staff were wonderful. They reassured and guided us every step of the way. The home has a friendly atmosphere and we were always made welcome when we visited. Mum joined in the activities and soon became settled and happy in her new surroundings. They even put on a special tea for mum and dads 60th wedding anniversary and put a lovely framed picture of the day in mums room. Mums nursing needs were met and we could keep updated by using the care records online app. Mum had regular manicures and facials and always looked glowing. I never worried about leaving her there. The care staff are very dedicated and kind. They are very respectful to each residents needs. I would definitely recommend this care home.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this wonderful review, it is truly rewarding to hear feedback like this. I will share your comments with the team.
Very clean and odour free.
Cheerfully residents with good activities available.
Good car parking and local to my location.
My aunt is also a resident who is also looked after very well.
Thank you for taking the time to review our home. We truly appreciate your lovely feedback.
The whole team at Cornford Nursing Home have been very professional & helpful for caring for my mum who had a 9 months stay with end of life care. When her health deteriorated further with a double stroke, CH all stepped in. Thank you for your experience and love.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. I will share it with the nursing and care team, it is lovely for their efforts to be recognised.
Special thanks to the nurses for being there when we needed you most ,and for being so professional and loving at the same time.Also huge thanks to two other members of staff for their care,love,support and kindness.It was a hard journey made bearable by you all and I will never forget you
Now I go to help my Uncle fight his prostate cancer.I hope I am strong enough..
Thank you for this heartfelt review and for taking the time to write it while still processing everything that has happened and continuing to happen in your life. We are happy to hear the staff made an awful time more bearable for you and will make sure they are commended for that. We wish you strength in the times ahead.
Our great aunt was placed in Cornford House just over a year ago. This is based on the year she spent there. The house is situated in lovely grounds. The house is bright, open and welcoming and homely. Our aunt spent her last year of her life at Cornford and we would just like to thank all the staff there for doing such a special job. Thank you all so much x
Thank you for this lovey review, I will pass it on to the team who will very much appreciate the feedback.
All the carers and staff involved with my Mother's care and needs are approachable, friendly, kind and attentive.
Every carer who I meet, are well informed of my Mother's needs, personality, medications and food preferences.
I feel that the standard of care at Cornford House is excellent.
The surroundings are pleasant, my Mother has a garden view, and being split level, there is also a lovely 'cafe garden' in a courtyard with plants all around it on the floor above her room.
The activities co-ordinator has gone to great lengths to ensure my Mother feels happy to join in with things, as she was initially reluctant. The onsite hairdressers and daily events onsite are excellent. My mother particularly enjoys the pet therapy mornings, as do I. Relatives are welcomed to join in. I thoroughly recommend Cornford House and would trust all the staff who I have met.
Thank you for taking the time to write this wonderful review. Your comments mean we are succeeding in our aims to be inclusive and recognise everyone as individuals. We are very happy mum settled so well.
The whole team are so kind, considerant and hard working. The atmosphere at the home is always friendly and upbeat. Nothing is too much trouble.
My mum's ever changing needs were anticipated and adaptations swiftly implemented. I was always kept advised as necessary.
I cannot thank the staff enough for the care, kindness and dignity given to my mum.
Thank you for taking the time to review us and for your kind words which I will share with the team.
I am very happy with the care my Auntie receives at Cornford house. The staff are always welcoming when I vist and my Auntie always seems happy and well looked after. She has only been there for a short while and settled in nicely
I am so pleased your Auntie has settled and is happy with us. Thank you for your kind words.
My sister was transferred to Cornford House a few weeks ago. The care she has received has been excellent since her admission. All the care staff are very kind and friendly to our sister and our family.The food is very good and varied, and she has put on much needed weight! I would definitely recommend Cornford House.
Thank you so much for this review. It is always rewarding to receive positive feedback, I will share this with the team.
Lovely friendly staff , attentive and caring, feel happy to leave her with the carers , Lots of activity's going on daily , nice garden too sit in , very safe environment would definitely recommend cornford house to others.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We aim to offer a safe and fun environment for our residents and peace of mind for their families. I will share your comments with the team.
My mum is currently receiving end of life care at Cornford House, the staff are wonderful, caring and kind, both to my mum and to the family. She can sometimes be challenging because of her confusion but she is getting the best of care. The regular online updates are a real comfort as we know how she is all through the day and night, and they phone me when they want to give me special updates. They are making a very sad time as easy as it can possibly be that's why they have my 5 stars and grateful thanks for their kindness and professionalism.
What an amazing review and such kind words. If there was a way to describe what we aim to achieve with end of life care, this is it. Thank you again for taking the time to write this review.
Very helpful and friendly.
Thank you so much for this five star review and kind words, very much appreciated.
My family and I would like to send our thanks to the whole team at Cornford House for the outstanding care you have given to our Mum over the past year and a half, in particular, when Mum's health and care needs are changing so rapidly on any given day. Your exceptional and dedicated team of carers, in particular 4 members of staff who have been so good supporting and understanding mum needs. You have gone way beyond the call of duty to meet Mum's care needs, respecting the way she likes things done and supporting her to retain her independence in as many ways as she can, whilst skillfully navigating all the tasks needed in such a kind, caring and loving way. You have all been so responsive to requests for additional care. As a family we can wholeheartedly say that Cornford House has been an invaluable asset for Mum Your understanding, and dedication have made a real difference in Mums life, and I highly recommend to anyone seeking Care for their families at Cornford House.
Thank you so much for your positive review. The well-being of our residents is our priority. We have a dedicated team and this recognition for their efforts will be very happily received. I will be sure to pass on your lovely words.
Very good care home, far better than the one my sister in law was in, can't fault it.many thanks I would recommend this care home to anyone thinking of going in to one, know one likes the idea of going into a home but I don't think you can do more than you are doing to make people as happy as possible.
We are very pleased to hear you are happy and that you would recommend us, thank you very much.
The rooms are spacious and the main lounge is large and light. The building is set in beautiful grounds with easy access to a garden area for residents.
The management staff are all visible and approachable and the care and nursing staff look after Dad very well. He cannot communicate his needs but he seems content and happy.
If there are any concerns or worries the staff respond in a positive way to my mum and I. Everyone is responsive to Dads and our needs.
The activity team provide entertainment and work hard to mark occasions. External people come in such as singers.
We really appreciate the efforts made to make the home relaxed and welcoming . Mum brings in their dog and we can visit at anytime.
We very much appreciate you taking time to give us this amazing review. I will share your comments with the whole team. We are fortunate to have lovely staff, our Cornford family, who really care about the residents.
Unfortunately the surgery took place later in the day then expected, which made her admission to Cornford house later than expected. I kept the home updated during the day and when we eventually got Mum there, they could not have been more welcoming.
She was very tired and a little emotional and they were so kind to her, offering her a warm drink and something to eat.
This level of care continued throughout her 2 week stay.
Everyone was friendly to us when we visited and nothing was too much trouble.
I would recommend Cornford house to anyone who needed care. Also, the food was excellent and nutritious.
Thank you so much for taking time to give this lovely feedback. I am so pleased you were happy with all aspects of the care and the home in general. We are happy mum was well enough to return home and wish her all the best. She was a delight to have staying with us.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 19 October 2022Requires improvement
- CaringGood
- EffectiveRequires improvement
- 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 Cornford House.
There are no upcoming events for Cornford House.
Awards / Recognitions (9)
- 28 Feb 2023Recipient: Hartford Care Group Ltd
- 30 Jun 2022Recipient: Hartford Care Group Ltd
- 30 Jun 2021Recipient: Hartford Care Group Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Cornford House.
Meet the Team (3)

I am a qualified nurse from Romania who moved to the UK in 2012 with a passion for providing compassionate, Person-Centred care. I began my career in the UK as a Care Assistant while completing the process to obtain my NMC registration. After receiving my NMC PIN, I progressed to the role of Registered General Nurse, where I combined clinical expertise with empathy, ensuring that every person in my care was treated with dignity, respect, and kindness.
As my career developed, I was promoted to Clinical Nurse, leading and supporting multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, high-quality, and compassionate care. I am also trained in palliative care, enabling me to support individuals and their families with sensitivity, comfort, and dignity during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Since 2022, I have been one of the Deputy Managers at our care home, where I continue to lead by example, inspiring teams to provide outstanding, Person-Centred care while promoting a positive and supportive culture. I am passionate about developing others, maintaining high standards of care, and creating an environment where residents feel valued, respected, and safe.
My career has been built on the belief that exceptional care is about more than clinical knowledge—it is about compassion, integrity, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we support every day.

I am a Registered nurse with 15 years of experience in the UK's health and social care sector, having worked in a care home since 2011. Throughout my career, I have been committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate, person-centred care while supporting the health and wellbeing of those I serve, including those with complex health needs, and maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice.
After working as a senior nurse, in 2017, I was promoted to Clinical Lead, where I took on responsibility for overseeing clinical care, supporting and mentoring care staff and nurses, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and working closely with the multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe and effective care. This role strengthened my clinical leadership, decision-making, and team Management skills.
In 2023, I progressed to the role of Deputy Manager at Cornford House, where I combined my clinical experience with leadership and management responsibilities. In this position, I supported the day-to-day running of the care home. I am passionate about leading by example, supporting the professional development of my team and making a positive and lasting impact in the lives of our residents and those who care for them.

My name is Marie. I am the General Manager at Cornford House.
I joined Cornford House in 2026. I bring more than 20 years of experience in Health and Social Care, including over a decade in leadership and management roles. Throughout my career, I have successfully led large teams, worked closely with healthcare professionals and external partners, and supported people with a wide range of care needs, including dementia, Mental Health conditions, complex physical and emotional needs, epilepsy, and behaviours that challenge.
I am passionate about delivering exceptional, Person-Centred care. I believe in putting people first. I am committed to creating a positive, supportive environment for residents, their families, and colleagues, ensuring everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.
I am dedicated to improving care supported by a Master's Degree (MSc) in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care, which has enabled me to lead meaningful change and implement best practice throughout my career.
My leadership has been recognised by NHS England and the Care Quality Commission (CQC), who have praised my determination, commitment, and collaborative approach to achieving positive outcomes.
Outside of work, I enjoy training for half marathons and raising money for local charities. I also have a strong interest in care innovation, Person-Centred care planning, Positive Behavioural Support (PBS), staff development, and advancing best practice for older people and those living with dementia.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cornford House
What types of Care is Cornford House registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment, Younger Adults are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Cornford House have?
There are 70 Single Rooms and 2 Couples/Companion Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Cornford House?
Own Furniture if required, Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Bar/Café, Residents Kitchenette, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Cornford House to the centre of Tunbridge Wells?
2.2 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 Cornford House to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Cornford House has an Enhanced Service -more info.