
I cannot say how grateful my family is for the care and support we have receivedLynda T(Daughter of Resident/Service User)



I cannot say how grateful my family is for the care and support we have receivedLynda T(Daughter of Resident/Service User)



Etheldred House is a purpose-built care home, providing nursing and residential person-centred care to adults aged 65+ including those living with dementia.
The care home, which offers long term and respite care is situated in the village of Histon with good access to local shops and a library. Cambridge city centre is five miles away.
Etheldred House is divided into four houses over two floors, Apple, Pear, Cherry and Strawberry,...
Care Provided by Excelcare Etheldred House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Mental Health Condition
- 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 85 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
- Bariatric Care/Obesity
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- 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
All nursing fees include FNC which currently is £254.06
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Excelcare Etheldred House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Excelcare Etheldred 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
- Excelcare
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Santall Horn(Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 2007
- Last Refurbishment: 2025
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (85)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (85)
Excelcare Etheldred House Reviews (146)
Excelcare Etheldred House has a Review Score of 10 (9.974) out of 10, based on 33 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Excelcare Etheldred House has 146 reviews.
My wife is well looked after in the care home with good carers and management. I have no worries at all about my wife's care and needs! The carers are very friendly and professional! I would recommend this care home to anyone who needs to be cared for!
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We're truly delighted to hear that your wife feels well cared for and supported, and that you have complete peace of mind about her care. Our team works hard to provide a friendly, professional, and compassionate environment, so it means a great deal...
I have seen many care homes since Patricia was diagnosed, and Etheldred is rated by far the best. Family team members.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review. We're truly pleased to hear that your experience with Etheldred has been so positive and that you feel we stand out among other care homes. Providing high-quality care, dignity, safety, and a welcoming environment for residents like Patricia is...
The staff and facilities are superb. We feel so lucky that we have found this home to look after our loved one.
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. We are delighted to hear that your father is being so well cared for and that this gives you comfort and reassurance.
Your lovely comments about our staff and facilities mean a great deal to us and will be shared with the team. Thank you for trusting Etheldred to care for your loved one - we truly appreciate it.
The care is exceptional to both the patient and their relatives. I can't recommend this care home highly enough. Gives us comfort knowing he is in such a wonderful place and in such good hands. The staff are always so helpful, welcoming and cheerful.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a kind and thoughtful review. It truly means a great deal to us.
We are delighted to hear that you feel reassured knowing your loved one is in safe and caring hands. Providing exceptional care to both our residents and their families is at the...
The management is excellent.
Thank you for your lovely review. We truly appreciate you sharing your experience and are so pleased to hear that our team was able to support both you and your mum during what can be a challenging transition. Treating everyone with dignity and respect is at the heart of what we do, so your kind...
Very satisfied with care. Happy with progress. Much better than last care home. Love his food, it's Lovely and polite staff. Always helpful. Very clean. Very welcoming. Always washed & dressed and look presentable, very good.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your kind feedback. We're delighted to hear that you're very satisfied with the care and that the progress made has been such a positive experience compared to the previous care home. It's wonderful to know that the food, cleanliness, and welcoming...
Lots of nice different activities and outings going on to keep all residents stimulated and the atmosphere in Etheldred House is always great and welcoming.
Thank you for your lovely review. We're so pleased to hear that you find Etheldred House clean, welcoming, and supported by caring and friendly staff. Keeping families informed and ensuring residents feel comfortable and engaged is very important to us, so it's wonderful to know this is reflected in your experience. Your kind words are greatly appreciated by the whole team.
The team at the care home show both care and compassion for all the residents and a depth of knowledge about them. This is demonstrated on every visit. Lots of events are put on creating a great community but also in the downtime staff are always very present and keen to help or just chat with residents.
Thank you for your lovely feedback. We're so pleased that you've seen the care, compassion, and dedication our team shows to residents every day. Creating a strong sense of community and being there for residents at all times is incredibly important to us, so your comments are truly appreciated.
I have a friend who lives at Etheldred, whom I met at church on Sundays. I often visit him at Etheldred and have noticed that the quality of care is very good, the management is welcoming, and the overall atmosphere is warm and positive.
Thank you for sharing your kind feedback. We're very pleased to hear that your visits to Etheldred have given you such a positive impression of the care, management, and welcoming atmosphere within the home. Creating a warm, supportive environment for residents and visitors alike is very important to us.
Thank you for taking the time to let us know - it is much appreciated.
The care that my Mum receives is outstanding, she is kept well informed of what is happening at the home. She has made a lot of friends, both young and old, as have I. It is clear that the staff are extremely dedicated, attentive and truly care about the people they work with. I am so happy that Mum, and us, could become part of the Etheldred family.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We are delighted to hear that your mum feels well informed, happy, and has made meaningful friendships since joining us. Knowing that both residents and their families feel part of the Etheldred family truly means a great deal to our team.
Your recognition...
I looked at several care homes before choosing this one for my Mother who has dementia and is 97. I found the staff here to be very caring, friendly and helpful. The room and the whole home was very clean and inviting and also there was a good size Garden .My mum started at the home in June 2025 and has been there since, while we sold her house to pay for her care. Most of the care homes I looked at were similarly priced, a few were slightly more or slightly less in price. Each day in the week there are different activities for residents and some trips outside are organised. There is a nice lounge/coffee room where residents and their families can go for a chat. The menu looks varied and interesting and Mum says she enjoys the food. She also enjoys having her hair done at the in house Hairdressers. All her medication needs are taken care of. Both myself and sister are very happy with her care here and can feed back any concerns to the people looking after her.
Thank you for taking the time to share your lovely review. We are delighted to hear that you and your sister are happy with the care your mother receives and that she has settled well with us since joining in June 2025.
Your kind comments about our staff, cleanliness, facilities, activities, and...
A fantastic care home! My mum has been in a number of care homes and I am relieved she is now at Etheldred. I cannot fault them. The team really care about their residents- they are kind, patient and supportive. My mum has vascular dementia and they are amazing at looking after her!
Thank you so much for your kind words. We're delighted to hear your mum feels settled at Etheldred House. Supporting people living with vascular dementia with kindness, patience, and understanding is central to our values, and your feedback means a great deal to our whole team.
Exceptional care and support over the full range over situations
Staff.. fantastic, accommodation.. super, food.. great. Atmosphere.. loving supportive and professional
Leadership.. outstanding always
Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review. We are delighted to hear that you felt the care and support provided to your loved one was exceptional. Your kind comments about our team, accommodation, food, atmosphere, and leadership mean a great deal to us. Our whole...
Our father came to Etheldred in Dec 2024 after the previous care home couldn't care for him with the changes in his behaviour due to a decline in his dementia. He was unhappy where he was previously and felt like he was on 'house arrest'. We met Sharon on reception who showed us around the home and clearly felt passionate that this was a home for the residents, where they were treated like a family. Her warmth coupled with all the staff we saw giving us a big smile or a hello really did help seal the deal for us. The home is beautiful and well kept but its the staff that make the home feel so welcoming. Our dad moved in just a week before Christmas and was nervous about the change. He soon settled in, with Elizabeth the nurse on the Pear House building a relationship with him and quickly finding an understanding of his likes, dislikes and love of food, bringing his last year of life lots of happiness and joy. The review is too short to fit it all in. Etheldred is a home from home
I will pass your kind words to the team, thank you.
Take care
Kevin and I came to see my father-in-law on his birthday to bring him a present and card. The reception area is like entering a hotel with a five-star rating. Very clean, bright and welcoming. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the bedroom my relative has is excellent, including the wet room. Lots of space and a home from home. Our relative looked very comfortable when we arrived, and what was on the TV was very applicable to his interests.
Thank you very much for taking the time to do this review. I appreciate your the kind words and will make sure to pass this to the team.
This care home is amazing. I cannot fault it at all. If my mum was in the right mind she would be so proud of where she is. Everyone from cleaning, kitchen, to management are so happy and friendly. It's so clean and such a happy place. This will be my mum's final place and as a daughter I couldn't think of anywhere better than here.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a positive review. Your kind words truly mean a lot to us, and I will make sure to pass your message on to the entire team. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us. Thanks again for your support.
Etheldred is a loving, caring environment, my dad has settled in very well, the staff are kind, caring, and nothing is too much. Well done to all the team, and thank you.
I am delighted to read that you feel your father has settled so well. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a positive comment. I will share this with the team.
I have had dealings with this care home for many years, and it is very reassuring to see many members of staff still working here. I am made to feel very welcome. My husband has settled really well and this makes me happy.
It's always lovely to welcome familiar faces to the Etheldred Family that we have known for many years, and have had family members or friends living with us prior to now. I appreciate your kind words, which I will pass on to the team. I am also grateful for you taking the time to leave this positive comment.
I was extremely welcomed by all the staff as soon as I arrived. My ensuite room has plenty of storage and is cleaned every day. The activities provided, and which I have been able to join in, have all been most enjoyable. I have also had the opportunity to join in services and other activities at my church, which I greatly appreciate. Grateful thanks to all staff.
Thank you for taking the time to write this review. I appreciate all your comments and will pass this to the team. You will always be welcome at Etheldred House. Take care.
I have been a temporary resident in Etheldred House for four weeks while my wife was in hospital. She has now been discharged and is recovering well. Although it was a big change to move from home to Etheldred I have been enabled to handle it well because:
The building is well designed and constructed for its purpose. I have a bright single room with an en-suite. My bed and electrically adjustable chair are comfortable, and I have no pressure sores. Visitors may come at any time. The food is excellent, varies daily, and I am able to order 'off menu'. Clearlythe staff really enjoy caring for us; they work hard, from the lady who cleans my room each day to senior management, whom I now know personally. There are regular staff training sessions, including fire safety. There is an excellent atmosphere. We are very satisfied with Etheldred and recommend it warmly.
Thank you very much for taking the time to do a review and for the kind words. We will all miss you when you join your wife at home but please remember you are welcome back any day. We wish you all the best.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 27 September 2017Good
- CaringOutstanding
- 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 (11) & Events (0)
- 08 Jul 2026
It makes me deeply sad when people default to the stereotype that care homes are lonely, bleak or institutional places. Too often, care homes are spoken about as a last...
- 06 Jan 2026
Members of the Excelcare family welcomed the New Year by sharing their favourite memories from 2025 and their hopes for the year ahead. Taking time to reflect on the past...
- 11 Aug 2025
The team at Etheldred House Care Home Care Home in Histon has been celebrating after receiving the news that they have sustained excellent practice in their recent accreditation with the...
There are no upcoming events for Excelcare Etheldred House.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Excelcare Etheldred House.
Meet the Team (2)

Santall holds numerous qualifications relating to care including Registered Managers Award.

Enrica is responsible for the running of the home in the absence of the Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions about Excelcare Etheldred House
What types of Care is Excelcare Etheldred House registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Mental Health Condition, Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Excelcare Etheldred House have?
There are 85 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Excelcare Etheldred House?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), 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 Excelcare Etheldred House to the centre of Cambridge?
3.6 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Excelcare Etheldred House to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Excelcare Etheldred House has an Enhanced Service -more info.