
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.
My mother spent a week here while my family and I went on holiday. I spoke to her daily and she said the staff were fantastic, really lovely. She was very well looked after and her room was lovely, she enjoyed her stay and looks forward to the next one in August! It has a very nice atmosphere.
Thank you so much, it was a pleasure to look after your Mum and know that you had an enjoyable break for yourself and your family. I look forward to seeing you in August.
I can say though, that the nursing staff have always been very helpful, especially since my mother's health has deteriorated.
They have kept us fully informed with any developments and have shown a caring attitude.
It is good to see a new general manager is now in place.
Hi Keith, it is a pleasure to support you and your family with the care that Mum needs. Thank you.
After a lengthy stay in hospital following a fall, my 91-year-old father found himself in need of permanent care. Social services recommended this home amongst a few others. When I visited I was pleasantly surprised at the high standards exhibited. The place is spotless and the staff appear cheerful and professional. If you needed somewhere at the twilight of your days, then you could do a lot worse than here.
Having visited other care homes in the area (East Sussex), I was impressed by the staff, facilities, friendliness and layout of the Dudwell St Mary care home. Clean rooms with windows she could look out onto nice views, comfortable, small, intimate dining areas (not one big institutional canteen as in other homes), wide corridors. Here the staff had time for the residents to get to know the likes and dislikes of the residents and treat them with dignity.
Thank you for your kind and positive words, I am pleased that you find our home layout comfortable, as we would always aim to make it as homely as possible.
kind regards,
Sam.
Upon my visit I was offered coffee and cake, staff warm and welcoming. General cleanliness of the building is outstanding and rooms kept very clean. All residents seem very happy and the management are always to hand to ask any questions. Very impressed with the decor, not your typical home.
Dear Stuart, thank you for your comments on the home. It is so important to us all within the team to hear relatives viewpoints. It enables us to provide the service that people deserve. Hope to see you soon.
Staff are very friendly, the rooms are kept well and the overall cleaning of the home is at a very high standard.
Thank you Claire for your feedback on our home, it is always good to hear relatives view point especially when you place your loved one with us. Look forward to seen you in the home when you next visit.
I was visiting the care home today and I felt compelled to share what a great place it is. I have spent a lot of time in various care homes as my granddad had dementia and needed full-time specialist care. But I have never had such a pleasant visit. The grounds were immaculate but it was the staff that made it extra special. All of them were so friendly and pleasant especially the manager who was a joy to be around. You couldn't leave without feeling happier than when you arrived
Dear James, thank you for your feedback it is always positive to hear you had such a good visit to the home. I have passed on your review to staff and it is always good for them to hear positive feedback.
Very good staff, friendly and caring. Any problems are dealt with straight away by senior nurses and carers.
Kitchen staff, cleaners and the laundry man are always willing to please.
Thank you Roy for your feedback, I will plan a meeting with you to review the activities in the home.
I can't thank the manager and team enough for the care and compassion they have shown not only my Father who is using the short break service, but also towards my Mum who is his primary carer.
Looking after Dad can be incredibly difficult so respite is much needed; knowing Dad is being looked after by kind and caring staff who treat him with respect means that Mum can really relax and recharge her batteries.
Can't rate highly enough.
My dad moved into the home for a couple of weeks respite and has now been there for four weeks. He is enjoying the company and activities and is so much better than when he arrived. His care has been excellent and the food is great too. A very welcoming home with caring carers.
We will pass on your comments to our activities team who are relatively new and share your responses with the wider teams as well.
Of necessity, my review and comments are only first impressions, given that my friend's mother has only been at Dudwell St Mary for 11 days. However, those first impressions are generally most positive. On our preliminary visits to the home, I was struck by the calm and friendly atmosphere and the overall environment engendered. The grounds are kept immaculately and the staff seem willing to help in any way they can. My friend's mother seemed to have settled in very well and very quickly after an unhappy last few months at her previous care home. Well done.
We thank you for your kind comments and we will pass them on to the teams.
My mother has only been here for 11 days, but I am nevertheless more than happy to complete this review on first impressions.
On entering Dudwell St Mary, I was immediately struck by the immaculately tended gardens and the calm and serene atmosphere. All the staff are happy and friendly and have been kind to my mother. The nurses are very vigilant, right down to supplying me with all the relevant information for my mother's trip to the dentist.
The manager clearly operates an open door policy and is willing to discuss any points I may wish to raise. Mum has settled quickly after a 4 and a half year stay at another home.
We are pleased that your mother has settled with us and we will pass on your comments to the teams.
We are very happy with the care that was provided here and with the very warm and friendly and very patient manner of all the staff. With sincere gratitude thanks from all the family on her behalf.
Thank you very much for your kind comments and we will pass them onto our team.
I have been a nurse for 38 years, and not once in the month mum was there did I worry about how mum was being treated. If you have been a full-time carer responsible for decisions made for another you will understand what a relief it was to have a conscientious team take over some of the burdens for a while.
Mum or I only needed to highlight something and it was sorted out. The staff were unfailing kind and helpful and I saw some genuinely touching caring attitudes towards the less able residents. I can't name names here but thank you, guys. I needed a break to recharge my batteries for times ahead and I got that. We hope to see you soon.
Thank you very much for your kind comments.
My mother was enrolled at Dudwell St.Mary (Barchester) after three years of having live-in carers in her own home. This arrangement became unsatisfactory when her night-time wandering increased and a second carer has to be arranged to provide adequate 24 hour cover. My mother settled into Dudwell St. Mary within a few days and we have been impressed by the kindness and care shown. A few organisational 'slips' (running out of paper towel) have not detracted to any real degree.
Very efficient, organised and skilled team together with a good balance of care and compassion. Excellent food too. Mum was in good hands.
Good facilities with friendly staff who really seem to care for the residents.
My mother has received the most wonderful care during her stay at Dudwell. The staff have treated her with the utmost care and respect and have also supported us during this difficult time. The team have encouraged my mother to eat something she struggled with at home, and have made her days more peaceful than I had thought possible.
I have a lovely downstairs room with a view over the garden. Very kind polite staff. Jolly good food.
My mother has a delightful downstairs room which is comfortable clean and well decorated. The bed is comfy. It has attached toilet and basin. The food is super I had a Sunday roast with my mother. The staff are fantastic, kind, calm, professional and very caring. We feel well informed at all times.
Thank you for reviewing and providing us with feedback on the environment, and food which you have described as "super". We have also noted your comment on activities as satisfactory. We are currently recruiting into the position. However, we are now providing your mother with a weekly activity programme in order for her to make a choice of what she would like to attend.
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.