

She is well cared for and the staff give her a lot of attention which she loves.Graham G(Son of Resident/Service User)

could not recommend Swimbridge enough, their level of attention to detail is impeccableAlexander B R(Grandson of Resident/Service User)


She is well cared for and the staff give her a lot of attention which she loves.Graham G(Son of Resident/Service User)

could not recommend Swimbridge enough, their level of attention to detail is impeccableAlexander B R(Grandson of Resident/Service User)

Swimbridge House Nursing Home is a 52-bed nursing home, for those over 65, with a very homely atmosphere and plenty of personal attention.
The Home offers nursing, residential and respite care in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, where the physical and mental well-being of each resident is looked after in a warm and welcoming environment. The Home also specialises in dementia care and is accredited for the ‘Six Steps’ End-of-Life Care....
Care Provided by Swimbridge House Nursing Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- 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 52 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
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Bariatric Care/Obesity
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Nursing care fees are exclusive of the FNC contributions by NHS to the home. Private contribution contribution for Nursing Care is similar as for Residential Care.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Swimbridge House Nursing Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Swimbridge House Nursing 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)
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
Owner
- Vaneal Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Martine Butler(Registered Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 1996
- Last Refurbishment: 2019
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (52)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (25)
Visiting
- The home is allowing visitors to residents, although there may be restrictions for infection control reasons. Please call the home to discuss current policy.
Parking
- There is plenty on-side parking available, including for disability vehicles.
Swimbridge House Nursing Home Reviews (92)
Swimbridge House Nursing Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.667) out of 10, based on 25 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Swimbridge House Nursing Home has 92 reviews.
Our loved one had wonderful care at Swimbridge Nursing Home. He has been well looked after with all his different needs. All the carers, nurses & staff have all been very kind, nothing has been too much trouble. Everyone has time to listen and to help when needed. When my hubby only had a couple days left to live, we were given the room right opposite to use and to stay, so that my daughter and I could be with my hubby of 63 years, to the end. Not only were we given the room, we were also fed & watered the whole time... what can we say, but THANK YOU, we as a family are truly grateful. God Bless you ALL.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review and we are so happy that we were able to care for your husband and also for yourself and your daughter in this moment of need.
I cannot praise highly enough the care given to my mother over the two plus years she was in the home. The support she was given due to her dementia and physical disability was excellent. Every effort was made to ensure she had medical help when needed and I was informed throughout
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this lovely review for our team.
Where I, as next of kin, was concerned, I could not have wanted for a warmer welcome each time I visited and me being kept updated was second nature to the staff. I had total confidence that mum was in very, very safe, competent and professional hands. I will remain eternally grateful that mum went to Swimbridge House and I know, if she had been communicative, she would have agreed with me.
Hi, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review about the care your mother received at Swimbridge House. We really appreciate it and we are proud of our team.
Sadly mum died on the the evening Sunday 12th April- thankfully she passed away in peace. She has lived at SH since June 2020- nearly six years! My sister and I knew she was loved and looked after brilliantly right until the end. She was a content and happy soul despite her cruel dementia condition. We will always be thankful that we chose SH back in the summer of 2020- all the staff were consistently compassionate and caring.
It was a pleasure to have your mum with us for so long and thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely review.
My Mother was a resident for ten months and was put on end-of-life care for the two weeks before she died on 12th April 2026. She was 102.
Throughout her time at Swimbridge House Nursing Home she was treated with kindness, compassion and dignity and she received genuine and comprehensive care. It was not simply the clinical care but the delivery of the care generally which was undertaken with warmth and compassion.
Swimbridge House also provides support for the families and during my Mother's last two weeks when I spent much of my time with her I was exceptionally well supported.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely review, even though there were bittersweet moments.
A lovely welcome from all the staff each time mum has come here for respite. Comfortable room in pleasant surroundings. Mum enjoys the meals and entertainment provided.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this feedback and glad your mother had a wonderful respite stay with us.
Used Swimbridge for 2 weeks respite care for mother and it worked out well.
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us this review.
My mother went in for her 2nd respite. We were made very welcome when we took her in and when we visited, her room was very nice, clean + comfortable. She was happy at Swimbridge and well looked after by lovely staff. I would recommend this nursing home to anyone looking for a nursing home.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review.
On 2 occasions my mother had visits late at night by 2 different male carers (we presume) we never found out what they were doing in the desk, but clearly they were looking for something, other than that, the staff were very good, kind and caring. The water dispenser on the first floor was nearly always empty so not good to patients with UTI's. A satisfactory home however.
Our home provides 24-hour care, and...
Extremely happy, made to feel very comfortable and safe. All the staff were very helpful, friendly and kind. When I returned home we were very happy. My carer was so pleased to see how well I'd been looked after particularly the condition of my skin. Hopefully be back soon.
A wonderful nursing home with very caring staff. The facilities are very good and attention to detail is outstanding. I would highly recommend the home to anyone looking for a friendly and "family" feel for themselves or a loved one.
My mother has stayed at Swimbridge several times for respite care. The staff and families are excellent. Residents and their families are made to feel so welcome. Management communicated very well indeed. We have no hesitation in booking my mother in for further respite breaks or eventually long term care.
As mum's physical and mental health needs have deteriorated , the Team have worked so hard to continuously re-evaluate , working closely with us as a family , to ensure Mum's needs continue to be safely met with outstanding care and compassion.
Every member of the team are warm, kind and always smiling , making every resident and their families, really feel a part of the amazing Swimbridge family ! Hugh thanks to Martine and her incredible team !
Both my parents have been at Swimbridge since 2020. Sadly Dad passed away in 2021 but Mum is still at Swimbridge and is happy & content there. Her dementia has deteriorated but she loves to sing and the staff really care for her and all the other residents.
I'm really grateful that my Mother is happy and well looked after.
I didn't take part in activities due to injury.
Joost
My Dad has been in Swimbridge House for just a few weeks now is truly in the absolute best place he can be, given how poorly he is (with a condition he cannot get better from). The level of care is truly outstanding, and Martine has been instrumental in helping us get Dad moved to the home - and just so utterly patient and knowledgeable when it comes to medical / physical / emotional decisions regarding Dad's treatment and care. Dad's room is beautiful and bright and calm, and he absolutely loves sitting out in the garden. I would love to name so many individuals who work at the home for the level of love and care they offer - and for so often going above and beyond. As a visitor, I'm always welcomed with open arms (and my children love visiting, too - there is always a chocolate or treat on hand!) Thank you for making this very tough time in all our lives so much easier to go through.
Thank you for taking your time to write this very nice review, that is hugely appreciated.
Mum can't care for herself and sadly doesn't realise it. I don't have downstairs loo or accomodation to assist. She actually took part in Zumba this week, hurrah Swimbridge. She's fragile and Swimbridge are fabulous, I can't recommend them enough
Thank you for taking time to write the review, which is well appreciated.With best wishes
The home is a warm, well managed & safe environment. The resident I visited was happy, well stimulated through a range of activities and received very good care. Relationships are professional and respectful at all times.
Thank you for taking your time to reply, we appreciate that.
Mum was only at Swimbridge House for just over 2 months before she passed away. However, during this time, Mum received excellent and compassionate care from all the staff and as her Alzheimers progressed, measures were taken to ensure her wellbeing and comfort at all times. We cannot thank the staff enough for the care that they gave to Mum.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us this review.
Very good care and nursing especially following a hospital visit and palliative care diagnosis. Confidence inspiring, caring and helpful staff.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 29 January 2019Good
- 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 (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for Swimbridge House Nursing Home.
There are no upcoming events for Swimbridge House Nursing Home.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for Swimbridge House Nursing Home.
Meet the Team (4)

Martine is a qualified nurse with over 30 years experience of working within the Health and Social care sectors. Prior to joining Swimbridge House Nursing Home in August 2021, she worked as a senior regulatory inspector, quality and compliance manager, and care home manager within the independent sector and with Devon County Council, and most recently as Nurse Educator and Safeguarding Lead.
Martine’s skills and experiences have equipped her with a strong commitment to continuous quality improvement, a process that she aims will become synonymous with the reputation of Swimbridge House.

I joined Swimbridge House over 10 years ago and have worked in the care sector throughout most of my working life in hospital and community settings. Swimbridge House is a home-from-home environment offering all levels of individual support to all of its residents and families it is a great place to work. We are committed to providing the best support we can. Every day you will hear laughter and see a sea of smiles; we also offer free hugs to everyone. All our staff are committed to providing the best care and experience for our residents and their families and I am proud to say I am a member of that team.

Swimbridge is a warm and friendly care home, where the staff aim to provide a “real home” for all residents, personal comfort, safety and a high standard of care. The staff are always smiling and helpful. About half of the staff have been working together for more than four years now. We support and motivate each other and also we learn from the experiences of others, forming a strong team.

I’ve worked at Swimbridge House for just over three years now and it’s a friendly, happy place to be – for residents, their families and staff. Everyone pulls together as a team to make sure that the residents and their families get the help and support they need and deserve. Everyone has their role to play to make the home the place it is – warm, welcoming and caring.
Frequently Asked Questions about Swimbridge House Nursing Home
What types of Care is Swimbridge House Nursing Home registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Swimbridge House Nursing Home have?
There are 52 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Swimbridge House Nursing Home?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Swimbridge House Nursing Home to the centre of Barnstaple?
4.2 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Swimbridge House Nursing Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Swimbridge House Nursing Home has an Enhanced Service -more info.