
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.
In the 8 months of residency, my aunts look well cared for, well-fed and generally content. They get on better with some carers than others. My heartfelt thanks for all that you do.
I have always found that Dudwell St Mary Care Home is a very pleasant and comfortable home. The staff are always very helpful and quite happy to listen to any query one might have. I would be quite happy to recommend it to anyone.
I was charged with selecting a home for my friend and after viewing several found the atmosphere and facilities excellent at Dudwell. She has been a resident now for more than three years. She has a delightful room. The staff are excellent and always welcoming and she has physical needs as well as Alzheimer's and the care has been first class. Some activities have been curtailed during lockdown but we have weekly garden visits. I cannot comment on value for money as her finances are managed elsewhere.
Carers are kind, helpful, friendly, caring and do an amazing job. They are quite often short-staffed and have not received the support from management they deserve for some time. Food is sometimes served cold. The minibus could be used more to take residents out.
Thank you for your review; we welcome all feedback both positive and negative as this ensures that we continue to improve our service and maintain standards. I am sorry you have experienced some issues with the service during this difficult time. I am the new manager for Dudwell and have been here...
They have all helped to make a difficult situation much easier and taken a huge weight of concern off of our minds.
Thank you to you all!
Everyone tries hard to evaluate situations and adapt accordingly to give the resident the best care possible. The food is thoughtfully prepared and offered generously to relatives who simply want to have a cup of tea with their loved ones. Nothing is too much trouble.
Mum is relatively new and was very distressed at first. The staff were very patient and made her feel safe, helping her to eat and ensuring she has enough liquid and nourishment. As a family, we feel that Mum is being well looked after and don't feel guilty if we are unable to visit every day.
My husband was taken here two weeks ago. Amazing care has been provided to him as well as me and his family. I can't thank them enough and know that he is in the very best place.
Many thanks for your encouraging feedback. I am pleased that you are happy with our care for your husband and I am delighted that he is settling in well.
This is a very pleasant care home in beautiful wooded surroundings. The buildings are spacious and comfortable. The staff are very efficient and also very caring and helpful.
My husband has been a resident at this home for nearly six months and has multiple health issues, but the care that he receives is outstanding. Each and every member of staff are kind, caring, compassionate, tactile (a hug, stroke of the head, holding a hand goes a long way). Every resident is subject to the utmost care and devotion, dignity, respect, kindness and compassion, almost as if it was a member of their own family. Thank you one and all for taking such fantastic care of my husband.
I love you all.
Dudwell Saint Mary ROCKS.
Both my parents have been residents of Dudwell St Mary Care Home, Burwash. Sadly my father passed away in February, however he only had a short stay here, where he was treated with kindness and dignity. My mother is still a resident and all the staff treat her with great kindness. My mother has dementia and can be muddled but I feel that she is safe here and I like all the people who look after her and this is very important to me.
Lovely surroundings and a beautiful area. Excellent communal lounge and spa bath. Happy and no complaints.
Following a nasty fall, my father needed extra care to help him recover. I arranged a ten-night stay at Dudwell St Mary. From my first phone call, the staff were very accommodating and everyone looked after dad so well. I would highly recommend their respite service to anyone in a similar situation.
Lovely staff.
Sometimes a calming voice and a friendly hug can work wonders!
During my association with Dudwell St Mary (over 4 years), the standards of care have been excellent on the whole. When problems have arisen they have been dealt with promptly and efficiently. Because I have visited on a daily basis I have been impressed by the care, dedication, respect and consideration shown to residents.
My parents would like more to do and to go out on visits.
Their main focus is on the welfare and wellbeing of all the residents.
The food is excellent which provides the residents with a very good selection of extremely well prepared dishes.
The care home is very well furnished, clean and secure. I can certainly recommend Dudwell St Mary.
My parents were medically evacuated from their home as they were no longer coping and were very ill. Initial respite stabilised them and the excellent and thoughtful care from Dudwell staff has improved their lives considerably, despite being away from their home. We have converted to a permanent contract since returning home is now not viable.
Dear Mark, Thank you for your comments on the level of care for your loved ones. It is a pleasure to support them and see them become well in themselves.
My mother has been at Dudwell for some six years now and I have never had cause to complain. Mother is very happy and well looked after. Unfortunately, she is not inclined to mix with other residents, but that is her fault - not yours. Overall - VERY happy, and the new manager is the best she's had.
Dear Robert, Thank you so much for the compliment, I am flattered. It is a delight to take of your Mum and provide a safe place for her to live. See you soon in the home.
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.
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.