
My husband was taken here two weeks ago. Amazing care has been provided to him as well as meSue B(Wife of Resident/Service User)

Thank you one and all for taking such fantastic care of my husband. I love you all.Caroline C(Wife of Resident/Service User)


My husband was taken here two weeks ago. Amazing care has been provided to him as well as meSue B(Wife of Resident/Service User)

Thank you one and all for taking such fantastic care of my husband. I love you all.Caroline C(Wife of Resident/Service User)


With its own extensive grounds, Dudwell St Mary is conveniently situated on the outskirts of Burwash Village, East Sussex, a very short distance from both Etchingham and Heathfield, 15 miles from Tunbridge Wells, 16 miles from Hastings and 19 miles from Eastbourne.
Dudwell St Mary is a stunning home based on the site of a former convent, with historic character and beautiful features and is tastefully decorated.
They provide first-class care...
Care Provided by Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 65 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
- 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
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
This Weekly Fee rate is an indication only of a typical standard fee rate for a resident living in a standard, comfortable room. A final Weekly Fee rate will be confirmed once we have carried out a pre-admission needs assessment. For nursing care, Weekly Fee rate will be dependent on personal needs.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care 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)
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Barchester Healthcare Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Anthony Butler (Senior General Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed with both male-only and female-only unit(s)
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Last Refurbishment: 2022
- Number of floors: 3
Room Information
- Single Rooms (61)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (2)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (43)
- Couples/Companion Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (2)
Visiting
- Dudwell St Mary is situated in the heart of 'Kipling' country with large extensive grounds that overlook the Dudwell river valley. Why not arrange a visit to see for yourself, guests are always welcome to visit and to join residents for lunch. The home is situated just one mile from Etchingham station
Parking
- Dudwell St Mary Care Home have own on site parking facilities.
Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home Reviews (126)
Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.702) out of 10, based on 18 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home has 126 reviews.
I don't get to visit often but my grandma is a resident at Dudwell st Mary. Every time I get to visit I'm made to feel welcome by everyone, and she is always doing fun things when I turn up. Her room is always tidy and clean and she always says her lunch was nice. I leave her feeling my parents made the right choice with this home.
Thank you for leaving us a lovely review, we pride ourselves on supporting everyone on their journey and we understand that making that choice isn't easy. We are happy that we have supported you to make that decision and how positive your experience has been. I will be sure to pass on your feedback to our team
Mum has been a resident at Dudwell St Mary for a year and a half now. During that time she has settled and made some lovely friends. The social element is a big part of life at Dudwell St Mary, a lot of thought goes into social interactions and activities. The care continues to be of a very high standard and communication is very good with me as family.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us feedback, its really nice to hear how happy you are at Dudwell St Marys. Life enrichment is really important to us and supporting our residents to make friends. I will pass on your feedback to the team
Overall I feel the care is excellent. The staff are always willing to help and make suggestions for on going care. I think that the entertainment Activities coordinators work tirelessly to please the residents and to provide activities to meet everyones needs. They need to be recognised for the huge contribution they make.
Thank you for taking the time to give feedback, I will pass on your comments to the team. we pride ourselves on a whole home approach and life enrichment plays a key role in supporting our residents well being
Friendly greeting in reception. Most staff good, some warmer than others to Mum (& myself) A few 'really' understood/knew Mum. Those who did - thankyou so much. Motto 'tailored to individual needs' not always implemented. If residents are unable to speak up for themselves, they need a relative to speak on their behalf. Even ie how Mum liked her tea - many times I politely said to carers, also spoke to nurses about it, yet rarely did Mum get tea to her liking. A little thing, but an important one to residents. Mum was there 4yrs. Management/nurses are happy to talk with you to try resolving issues, and discuss anything about your loved one. More carers on floor 1 would benefit for more time on individual care to be given, and talking. Value for money - satisfactoryish. Care/support/dignity between satisfactory/good. Sometimes excellent. Excellent activities - wide variety, excellent activities team. Lovely that housekeeping & maintenance teams interact with residents. High security, I always felt Mum was safe. Very good end of life care for Mum (& Dad) Both were in the right place. Positively, overall is good. Thank you Dudwell
Thank you so much for your feedback. I will ensure all the points raised within are fully reviewed to ensure that a better service is given. I shall also feed back. Huge thanks xxx
Not only has the home looked after Dad , but the biggest gift they have given us , has been to reunite my Dad with Mum . They bent over backwards to get mum a space in St Mary's ( building adjacent to Dudwell ) , so that they could be together after 60 years of marriage,.
Mum doesn't have dementia, so it's an ideal solution, as she can visit Dad whenever she wants.
This review got me all emotional. We were so chuffed that we can keep this beautiful couple together and help the family through such a difficult time. Thank you for choosing us to be a part of your lives we are truly honoured
Mum and Dad have both been in Dudwells for almost three years now and they have been treated with kindness and compassion. They both appreciate the family atmosphere and how the carers take the time to really get to know them and personalise their care and nursing support. Dad has been very ill over the past months and as a family we really appreciate the high quality of nursing care that he has received and the support given to Mum throughout this time
Thank you Louise for your kind words which I will make sure is fed back to the team. Your parents are such a huge part of our community and we thank you for choosing us to look after them and get to know them so well.
Barchester St Mary is like home from home.
Everyone is very kind, caring and friendly and the atmosphere uplifting, positive and fun!
I love visiting my mum and the St. Mary's team always make me feel very welcome. And Mum is so happy!
Thank you so much for your kind words. We love having you and mum as part of our lives. Her little smile makes me feel so happy. I will make sure that this is fed back to the team.
Apart from a very well kept facility, the thing that makes this home so wonderful is the staff who I describe as angels. They are loving, caring and very attentive. Great communication if needed with me too. I am always very grateful for this.
Thank you so much for your lovely kind words. I will ensure that this is fed back to the team. We are so glad to have you as a part of our family and thank you for choosing us
A huge thank you to all the staff at the Dudwell who have helped my 98 year old mother adjust to a new life -following the very recent death of my father and a move South. We love the atmosphere, all the staff are so friendly and approachable. It is so good to know she is in the safe hands of such kind and caring staff.
Thank you so much for your kind review which I have shared with the team today. We love every moment with mum who brings a real character to the family. We look forward to many happy memories ahead
Dudwell St Mary's is extremely welcoming and the nursing care from my experience is excellent. The staff are very empathetic towards the person they are caring for whilst the cleanliness and general appearance is very good. Admin is efficient. I have absolutely no concerns and have complete faith in their ability to care for my friend.
We would like to thank you so much for your kind words which I will ensure is passed onto the team. We love being able to look after your loved one and look forward to many happy times ahead with you.
My Mum who is a pretty straight talker always praises the staff, the views and her room. And she is definitely eating well. The staff here really seem to care and the ethos from management downwards seems to be to consider the best interests of the resident at every decision point. It's very reassuring to know that Mum is being properly looked after.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. We are so pleased to see how mum has developed and settled in to the community and think she is a real joy. We look forward to many good times with her.
I have a friend who lives at Dudwell St Mary Care Home and I am so impressed in the way she is looked after . The people looking after her are amazing and she feels like home being there. The staff made great efforts to help her settle and now I am so happy to see her thriving each time I visit, I couldn't recommend the place enough.
Thank you so much for your kind words regards us here at Dudwell. We really do appreciate your feedback and will ensure this is shared with the team
My wife and I (and our lovely dog) visited the care home on the open day to visit two neighbours. We were immediately impressed by the staff and the feeling of care the were giving. We are both in our middle 80's, still fit and healthy but realise we may both need a care home in the near future. Dudwell St Mary is definitely where we would choose as we live in the area.
Thank you so much for your kind review. It was lovely to meet you both and show you around the home and for you to spend some time visiting your friends. We look forward to welcoming you all again soon
I have visited my sister several times. Always she is clean, the room also. The staff have always been helpful and cheerful and my sister appears to be happy and well looked after for this thank you.
Hi Colin Thank you so much for your kind words, of which I will pass onto the team.We look forward to welcoming you again soonEmma
I am very happy with my Mother's care. The nurses and carers are very helpful and make sure she is comfortable and happy. If I have any thoughts or problems the nurses are always there to listen and advise.
We would like to thank you for your comments, which I will ensure we pass onto the team. If there is anything we can do to improve your scoring in other areas please do let me know personally so we can address them as a matter of urgency.
He had a very pleasant room with lovely views over the countryside - the home itself is in a beautiful setting and we feel we could not have chosen a better place for him to spend his final years.
Hi Sylvie, thank you so much for your kind words. We loved being a part of your brother's and your lives and will miss seeing you. Hope you pop by for coffee soon. Regards, Emma.
My sister is very happy and so much better mentally and physically since she arrived.
Living at the opposite side of the country, it is great to know she is safe.
We are so incredibly touched with your kind words and I will ensure that this is passed on to the team directly. We thank you and your loved one so much for choosing us as your extended family and look forward to sharing many wonderful memories together.
My mother moved into the home in late June when she needed more care and has now become a permanent resident. I am extremely impressed with the home. The most important asset is the staff, both the management and care staff. They are so friendly, caring and welcoming. There is an overall happy atmosphere in the place. The building and facilities are excellent - there is even some air conditioning. There is a full programme of weekly activities, including entertainment and visits from school children. I give everything five stars except for "value for money" as it is so expensive, with an automatic annual increase of at least 5.9% regardless of inflation which seems hard to justify. Having said that, I am so grateful that she is in such a lovely home and send a big thank you to all the wonderful staff who work so hard.
Thank you so much for your lovely words and comments about your mother's stay. I will ensure that this is passed on to the team and I also take on board your feedback on our fees which I will pass on to the relevant departments. We do enjoy and love having Mum and yourselves as a part of our Dudwell lives.
My father came to Dudwell with complex care needs. The team have treated him with dignity and respect. Our family are so grateful for this, as it has been hard to let Dad go into someone else's care. But we feel at home when we visit and know we can stay as long as we wish. We could not wish for a more perfect place for Dad to be. From the bottom of our hearts - thank you to all of the team.
We would like to thank you for your kind words. We are really enjoying looking after your family and spending time with you all. I will pass on your comments to the team.
From initial enquiry where the senior general manager was so helpful to the actual day itself.
Our aunt has settled in well and now is well-established at Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home.
Her care is superb. Thank you.
We so appreciate being your choice of care for your loved one and being a part of your lives. Thank you for your kind words which I will pass on to the team.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 28 September 2018Good
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeGood
- Well-ledGood
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 (26) & Events (1)
- 17 Jul 2026
Our Employee of the month for June is … our amazing Chef Jon Jon received many nominations from staff, residents and relatives Jon received so many heart warming comments about...
- 17 Jul 2026
We were delighted to be supporting our amazing Managing directors Michelle and Duncan in raising money for our Barchester charitable foundation Michelle and Duncan where involved in the Cook off,...
- 17 Jul 2026
We had the pleasure in welcoming Zoie for her weeks work experience at Dudwell St Marys Zoie is currently studying at Bexhill academy, Zoie had really lovely feedback about her...
- 07 Sep 2026Organiser: Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home
Awards / Recognitions (60)
- 11 Aug 2026Recipient: Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home
- 09 Jun 2026Recipient: Barchester Healthcare Ltd
- 09 Jun 2026Recipient: Barchester Healthcare Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home.
Meet the Team (11)

Hi. My name is Anthony Butler, and I am the General Manager at Dudwell St Mary.
I have been working for Barchester Healthcare since 2011. I started my journey as a Carer at Dudwell St Mary's all those years ago. I progressed to become a South Operational Trainer for the Company, and in the following years, I completed my Level 5 management training.
In 2024, I was promoted as the new General Manager at our sister home, Lydfords, and now it is wonderful to do a full circle, and I am back here within the Dudwell family as the now current GM.
I am dedicated to supporting our staff to deliver excellent person-centred care to all our residents and families.

When people ask me what I do, I often smile before answering.
Yes, my job title is Clinical Deputy General Manager, but what I really do is help people — residents, families, and colleagues — navigate some of the most important moments in their lives.
I started my career as a nurse at the National Health Service for 15 years, driven by a passion for patient care and a belief that healthcare should be as much about kindness as it is about clinical excellence. Over the years, my desire to work with elderly people I realised that leadership roles gave me the chance to influence not just one resident’s journey, but the systems and teams that care for hundreds every day.
Becoming a Clinical Deputy General Manager was a natural step — it allowed me to combine my clinical expertise with strategic leadership, ensuring that our services are safe, effective, and truly patient-centred.
The role can be demanding, balancing operational pressures with the need to maintain high-quality, compassionate care is not easy, but the rewards are immense, seeing the resident journey, being supportive, watching a team member grow in confidence, or implementing a change that improves safety for everyone.
Healthcare is evolving rapidly, and so is the role of a Clinical Deputy General Manager. From digital transformation to new models of care, there’s never been a more exciting — or important — time to lead.
For me, it’s not just a job. It’s a privilege to be part of a team at Barchester that makes a real difference every single day and also providing a premium caring experience, which is delivered by our team to those we care for.

I have worked at Dudwell St Mary for 20 years in my role as Administrator, and in that time I have seen Dudwell change and grow.
My role involves working with both staff and residents and is very busy and varied, but I really enjoy being in the Reception, meeting and greeting both Residents and their families. I enjoy my job very much, and I am lucky to work with a really good bunch of people.
I work part-time, which enables me to spend time with my lovely family and indulge in my love of horses and dogs and anything to do with the great outdoors.

Hi, my name is Caroline, and I joined the team here at Dudwell in February 2011. My role as Administrator involves managing payroll, accounts and HR, in addition to the financial and business systems in the home, working closely with the General Manager.
I enjoy meeting residents, old and new, along with their loved ones, and building these relationships.
I am supported by two members of the admin team to ensure that we deliver a high standard of work.

Soraia is our wonderful Unit Manager Nurse for our St Mary's nursing unit. Soraia has been with Dudwell for approx. 10 years now, and is a well-respected member of our team. She does a fantastic job with the staff rota, care planning and is a great support role/mentor to our RGNs. Soraia is passionate about all aspects of elderly nursing care, and we are grateful to have her working with our team as she brings compassionate care to the forefront.

My name is Jamie Butler, and I am a Care Practitioner here at Dudwell St Mary's with nearly 15 years of dedicated service. I began my career as a Care Assistant, progressing through the roles of senior carer and care practitioner, and I am currently undertaking training to become an Advanced Care Practitioner. My passion for providing high-quality, person-centred care and my commitment to continuous learning have been at the heart of my career journey.
I take great pride in supporting residents and their families, building meaningful relationships, and helping to create a caring and compassionate environment.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my lovely husband and our four beautiful children, who keep me busy and make my days off truly special.

My name is Augustine, and I am a Senior Care Assistant and Speak Up Champion at Dudwell St Mary.
I have been working in the care industry for 3 years. I absolutely love my role, and I find fulfilment in caring for and assisting the residents.
Since working at Dudwell St Mary, I have received a great amount of training and support. As a Speak Up Champion, I can support residents and colleagues to speak up on areas of concern and need for improvement within Dudwell St Mary.

My Name is Linda, and I am one of the Activities Co-ordinators at Dudwell St. Mary care home.
I joined Dudwell St Mary in April 2008 as a Housekeeping Assistant and later became the Head of Housekeeping. In 2018, I became an activities coordinator, where I brought lots of new and exciting ideas to the role.
I am passionate about my role within the home and aim to bring a smile to all our residents’ faces through different types of activities. My personality is bright and bubbly, so I aim to share this each day at work.
As I gather the resident's likes and dislikes, if you would like to come and chat with me about your family member, please contact the home to arrange.

Hello, my name is David, I am the Head of Maintenance at Dudwell St Mary. This role is varied and challenging to keep the home environment to the highest standard possible and to ensure that both residents and staff can enjoy their surroundings safely. I started this role in July 2020 after working as the maintenance manager of a holiday park for six years. When I was made redundant, I decided to pursue a more rewarding career in the care home sector, and I am very happy I did! Previously to this, I have been self-employed as a handyman, and I am a fully qualified electrician.

Hi, my name is Nicky, and my role at Dudwell St Mary is Admin Assistant. I have worked for Barchester for 3 years and enjoy every day here. When I’m not at work, I’m a mum to a teenager and enjoy family time. I’m a big animal lover, and I also have dogs and cats in my family. Next year I’m getting married, so that is taking up a lot of my spare time with planning.

Hi, I have worked for Barchester and Dudwell St Mary since 2018. I started as a Housekeeper and am now Head of Housekeeping. My role includes keeping the home safe and clean for everyone. I really enjoy my role as every day is different. I take time to get to know the residents and also their lives before they lived with us. I worked as a carer in the community for 13 years, so I understand all elements of the role.
Frequently Asked Questions about Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home
What types of Care is Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home have?
There are 61 Single Rooms and 2 Couples/Companion Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other 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 Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home to the centre of Etchingham?
1.5 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 Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Barchester Dudwell St Mary Care Home has an Enhanced Service -more info.