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- Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare







Located just a short walk from the heart of the historic market town of Marlborough, Merlin Court provides residential, respite and dementia care. Adjacent to Marlborough Common and only a short two-minute drive from the A346 Swindon Road, the home boasts dedicated and long-serving staff, ensuring consistency in the care they provide. The primary focus is on the well-being of residents, celebrating their lives and facilitating a fulfilling lifestyle.
Recently refurbished,...
Care Provided by Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 62 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
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Residents Kitchenette
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare 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
- Avery Healthcare Group
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Les Johnson (General Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Last Refurbishment: 2015
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (58)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (2)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (58)
- Couples/Companion Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (1)
Visiting
- Open 24 hours
Parking
- Parking freely available
Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare Reviews (77)
Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.678) out of 10, based on 21 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare has 77 reviews.
Mum came to live in Merlin Court in March as her dementia diagnosis worsened. Mum has always been incredibly independent so we were very worried about whether she would like it. We started with a 3 week respite trial and converted to permanent residence afterwards. Mum has taken to Merlin Court like a duck to water. She has been so well cared for that the decision to stay was not at all difficult and it has worked out perfectly. She is very happy, says the food is delicious and all the staff are so kind. We enjoy having coffee and cakes in the cafe and have fun talking to other residents. Caroline, the Head of Care and Deputy Head of the home, has been so supportive - with the transition and other matters - she's an ultimate professional and my experience with all the staff is that they are friendly, caring and 100% committed to the well-being of their residents..
Hi, i am incredibly grateful for your positive review. It is an honour for us to care for your Mother and i am very happy that you are able to join us and spend time with everyone. Thank you for your very positive comments regarding Caroline, i have passed these on to her.
I was very pleased indeed by the way that my friend was supported and cared for in the last eighteen months of his life by all the staff at Merlin Court. Nothing was too much trouble and they managed some difficult moments in the final weeks with considerable professionalism, skill and compassion.
Dear James, thank you for your kind words. It was our pleasure and honour to care for friend and we thank you for all the kind support you showed him and us.
I have found all the staff very kind and helpful. If I have had to ask for help then they have helped with any problems, usually small, I have had kindness and helpfulness from everyone.
Thank you so much for your positive feedback of our care provision. Staff are aways eager to fully support our residents with any problems, no matter how big or small :)
Staff very helpful and knowledgeable. Good selection of meals. Always someone to help when you want it.
Thank you so very much for you kind review. We very much appreciate your feedback. Happy you find staff and management helpful and responsive :)
Mum came to live in Merlin Court 6 months ago after a fall. She was so well cared for that she decided to stay and it has worked out perfectly. She is very happy and has made some nice friends, says the food is delicious and enjoys socialising in the daily activities. She was lonely living alone in her flat but she's busy all the time now and it's a pleasure when we visit her and have tea and cakes in the cafe. All the staff are super, friendly, caring and nothing seems too much trouble for them. My brother and I, together with Mum, feel we definitely chose the right place all round.
What a great review! We appreciate you sharing this wonderful feedback! Its so amazing to hear Mum has settled so well and is loving her life here at Merlin Court; we do keep people rather busy with all our social activities. The wellbeing of our residents is so important to us. That people feel...
Our experience of Merlin Court so far has been very good. Staff are excellent, and our relative seems to be happy and is being well looked after. The home is well presented and is always clean and tidy. It is also well equipped with a coffee area and a cinema room.
Thank you so very much for you kind review. Our staff are very dedicated to the care of our respective residents and we love nothing more than to welcome our families for coffee, cakes and cosy chats. Hope to see you again very soon.
A perfectly satisfactory service but I would love to see a bit more attention to detail e.g. her sheets were a mess - food etc - last time we visited, the window was open when it was very cold outside. The free coffee and tea is a boon but regularly have a problem finding clean mugs.
Thank you for your review. We very much appreciate your comments. Our team is dedicated to consistently evaluating and enhancing our standards and practices and we welcome feedback which supports our unwavering commitment to continuous improvement.
The home is clean and safe for residents. The staff care - and treat residents well. Food is good and it seems well equipped. The home is managed well now (I didn't feel it was when the resident I care for entered the home in summer 2024) and there is now much more regular communication about health and wellbeing matters. There is always someone to ask if you are concerned about a resident.
Thank you so much for your review. We appreciate your feedback and are fully committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our residents. We continue to make improvements within our home and are always striving to provide the best possible environment and care to both our residents and their family.
I've just been to see my Mum and yet again I'm impressed with all the friendly staff at Merlin Court. As soon as you walk through the door the receptionist gives a lovely warm welcome. The admin secretary is very helpful with any queries, everywhere is beautifully clean and the residents are enjoying activities and socialising. The carers show such incredible goodwill and kindness to Mum, treating her with gentleness and respect and they all have a great sense of humour which Mum really enjoys. The manager and the deputy manager are both very approachable and of course its their expertise and professionalism that brings everything together at Merlin Court. Thank you to everyone !
What an absolutely wonderful review! We cannot thank you enough, in expressing your appreciation for the immense hard work and dedication of all our respective teams and their individual members. As you know well, we really do work from the heart and with passion towards ensuring we provide the...
My mother and I came to visit one of the residents today. We were immediately impressed by the warm and professional reception. We met in the 'cafe' area and enjoyed delicious complimentary tea/coffee and homemade cakes. Our friend was clearly very happy and content here, which was a joy to see. The visitors' bathroom facility was immaculate. Thank you.
Thank you so very much for your very kind comments. We are so pleased you both enjoyed your visit, enough to make positive comment. We much enjoy visitors to our Home, as do our individual residents. Please visit as often as you can. You will always receive the warmest of welcomes and fresh cakes, await your next visit. Kindest Regards Caron
Merlin Court has a happy atmosphere and I feel welcome from the moment I walk in the door. Lunch with my Mother is a treat as the food is nutritional as well as delicious. I particularly like the range of activities and outings that have been on offer in recent months to encourage mobility and maintain mental functions. It is good to see residents being encouraged to join in with an activity most days.
Thank you so very much for your review of residential our care services at Merlin. We aim always to create an atmosphere that is warm, welcoming and homely both to residents and their loved ones. Promoting meaningful activities, maintaining and developing personal identity is something close to our...
Finding this hidden gem of a care home for mum almost 3 years ago was such a huge relief! It is a truly wonderful family home-from-home and I look forward to my regular visits, always assured of a cheerful reception from happy staff and residents within a beautiful setting. The new manager has had a massively positive impact: staff morale is noticeably high and the bespoke care they provide each resident is exceptional. The home is light, modern and fresh; warm and welcoming; with the sound of chatter, activity, music and laughter throughout. The sunny atrium bistro, gardens, and full and varied menus and activity calendars are particular highlights. The maintenance and housekeeping staff take real pride in their jobs and provide an excellent service, be it re-arranging personal bedroom furniture and wall pictures to suit residents on Day 1 to promptly labelling and laundering clothes. I cannot recommend this Home, the staff and the level of care more highly, and I do so regularly!
Thank you so very much for your very touching review of our Home. Mum is the most special lady and each and every one of us, adore her. As you know, the house is always full of fun and laughter and Mum enjoys very much the company of others. We really do try to deliver the very best and warmest of...
Merlin Court is comfortable, tasteful and well-maintained. The whole team there are always friendly, welcoming and caring, and engage well and support me as I navigate my way to ensure Mum has the opportunity to live her best, most comfortable life in her later years.
I knew from the start Merlin Court was the right home for Mum, and would have no hesitation recommending Merlin Court to other families looking for a safe, caring environment for their relative.
We are so happy you feel Mum is living her best life. We are very proud of our passionate, dedicated very professional staff who pride themselves on delivering the highest standard of personalised care. Daily activity is meaningful and engaging. Family and friends are encouraged to join in to...
Overall the home works well and my mother seems happy and well looked after. It would be good if one member of staff kept an eye on her and could provide updates/feedback. We have no one to ask any questions about her (elements, behaviour etc).
Thank you for your review and for your positive comments regarding our Home and for highlighting how well we take care of our residents. We discuss individual care plans and how we care for residents at daily team meetings. In addition, each and everyday we nominate two 'residents of the day'. This...
The activities are fantastic, keeping both mind and body engaged. Mum loved yoga, baking, singing, and dancing, which helped her regain strength. The onsite hair salon was a great convenience.
Facilities are excellent, with lounges, a library, a conservatory, a cinema, and a free café serving delicious homemade cakes (which I'll miss!). Mum's spacious room had plenty of storage, an en-suite bathroom, and a double bed, making her stay very comfortable.
Most importantly, the care and support from staff has been outstanding. Thanks to their kindness, Mum has recovered well and truly enjoyed her time. A huge thank you to the team for making her stay so positive!
I highly recommend Merlin Court for its exceptional care and warm atmosphere.
Thank you so much for your amazing review. Mum quickly became very dear to us and our Merlin family! We have a very creative and positive approach to our daily activities and events planner. Our residents and their personal well-being, is at the very heart of everything we do. We recognise the...
Mum has now been at Merlin Court for 10 months after a fall meant she was unable to be cared for at home. So far we are delighted with our choice and Mum is very settled. It took time for her and us to adjust to the realisation that this is now her home and we should engage more with the team over her specific needs, concerns and personal care plan. In recent meetings the Manager has answered our questions with friendly diligence, offered positive tweaks to the care plan and we feel we have a solid relationship moving forward to make Mum's experience even better. The care team are delightful, the meals are generally excellent and Mum eats well. Her room, and the wider home seem very clean and well-maintained. We have no hesitation in recommending Merlin Court for those looking for a friendly, caring and professional care home.
Thank you so very much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your feelings about Merlin Court. It makes us so happy to know you feel Mum is safe and happy, in our care. We do have such wonderful teams of dedicated staff. Both the care and ancillary teams are longstanding and diligent...
I am very pleased with the standard of care, she has really settled in very well, in fact much better than I was anticipating. I have now had two review meetings with the manager, at which I have been able to raise any concerns, and am pleased these have been taken on board and dealt with in a timely manner. I am able to email or talk to the manager at any time should I need to, and always get a prompt reply. The Staff are all very friendly and welcoming and clearly know the Residents and their families well. I would have no hesitation in recommending Merlin Court to other families who are looking for a care home for relatives.
A very kind review. It means a great deal to us to know all our dedicated and considered care is appreciated by not only our residents but also the people that matter most to them. It is a true privilege to have the opportunity to review, support and reassure both residents and families, in the...
Have been well looked after and well fed. Friendly.
So very lovely of you. It is an absolute pleasure and a privilege to have you come for a short visit and then decide to make Merlin your permanent 'forever home.' We are delighted you have chosen to become part of our wonderful family.
Merlin Court Care Home is an exceptionally welcoming place. Everyone has been extremely friendly and helpful to both my mum and all of her visitors. The staff are all cheerful, polite and never seems too busy to talk through any issues.
Thank you so much for your kind and positive review of our care service. Staff are very dedicated to the personalised care of our respective residents. The house is always, as you know, full of laughter from both staff and residents and we love to see family and friends joining in. Again we thank...
Good staff, very helpful. The building is well maintained. The food is good.
Sincere thanks for your very kind and positive comments. Your appreciation contributes greatly toward building the morale of our Merlin team. All respective teams are highly committed to delivering a quality and personalised service for all our residents and family members. Many thanks.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 13 May 2026Good
- 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 (9) & Events (0)
- 20 Mar 2025
Avery Healthcare is proud to announce that three of its care homes have been included in the prestigious 2025 edition of Knight Frank’s Luxury Care Home Guide, which highlights the...
- 20 Mar 2025
Avery Healthcare is proud to announce that three of its care homes have been included in the prestigious 2025 edition of Knight Frank’s Luxury Care Home Guide, which highlights the...
- 19 Feb 2025
Kelly O'Donnell, Admin at Merlin Court Care Home, will be cutting off her luscious locks in aid of The Little Princess Trust at a special charity event on 15th April...
There are no upcoming events for Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare.
Awards / Recognitions (12)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Avery Healthcare Group
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Avery Healthcare Group
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Avery Healthcare Group
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare.
Meet the Team (9)

I have worked in social care since 1992, and in this time I have managed many homes and teams across different sectors of the care industry.
I am new to Merlin Court and Avery Healthcare, but I am very excited to work in such a caring home in the lovely town of Marlborough.
In my spare time, I am a musician, and I am married with two grown-up sons.

I like to spend time with people and enjoy getting to know about their past, as this gives me pleasure in spending time with them. I love what I do more and more day by day.
Before I came to the UK, I worked in a hospital where I also worked shifts.
Qualifications that I have gained include a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, which is my proudest achievement. I am lucky to have a very good family, and I enjoy my job by getting to know everyone.

I have worked in care for around 4-5 years before arriving in the UK, I have also looked after my parents when living in Africa. I think that I am good at my job because I am doing exactly what is expected of me by ensuring that I follow the care plan.
My proudest achievement would be bringing my children up and now that they are here with me also.

I want to make sure that I give the residents a difference between being at home and being in a care home, especially when families are away as we are like one big family. I ensure that everyone is comfortable with us by spending time with them and getting to know them. I was a teacher before this and I wanted something different. Merlin Court is my first care job since moving to the UK.
Qualifications that I have gained are Teaching and Hairdressing, I also have a lot of other qualifications.My proudest achievement would be that I like to see the residents smile in the morning especially when they say "we missed you".

I like to help people, which is why I enjoy working here at Merlin, as it is like a home and not a care home. I have three years of experience working within the care sector.
My proudest achievement is that I like to make people happy by laughing and joking.

I feel that I am a very happy person and I work with older people who are like my grandparents.
I have ten years experience within the care sector.
I have qualifications that I gained at high school and also Essol Level 2.
I have not held any other positions within the care sector.
My proudest achievement would be my wife who is a nurse in Savernake Hospital. My son who finished university and is working as a cardio physiologist in St Georg's hospital in London.

I am hardworking and passionate about my job, I feel that I am a patient person.
I have worked at Merlin for a year and a half.
Qualifications gained within the care sector would be ensuring that confidentiality is upheld, Safeguarding awareness, patience and resilient, I ensure that I am empathetic and compassionate, I feel that I have better communication skills, I am able to participate as part of a team.
Other positions held within the care sector is a care assistant and also a support worker.
My proudest achievement would be making a positive impact within the organisation, welcoming challenges, exceeding expectations, achieving academic achievements with a variety of certificates.

I'm a people person, I love looking after people and making sure that they are happy and smiling, clean and presentable. I also enjoy talking to them and seeing if there's any concern's.
I have two years experience within the care sector before working at Merlin Court.
I have a hairdressing qualification.
I originally started working as a part of the housekeeping team when I first started at Merlin.
My proudest achievement would be having my sons.

I am very cheerful and happy. I love to care for people and make sure they are getting the best they can out of later life. I love seeing the residents happy and doing activities with them.
My proudest achievement is working within the care sector for 34 years and still love working with residents.
Frequently Asked Questions about Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare
What types of Care is Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare have?
There are 58 Single Rooms and 2 Couples/Companion Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare?
Own Furniture if required, Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Bar/Café, Residents Kitchenette, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare to the centre of Marlborough?
0.5 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Merlin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare has an Enhanced Service -more info.