Heron Hill Care Home

Esthwaite Avenue, Kendal LA9 7SE
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9.5 83 Reviews
  • Heron Hill Care Home, Kendal
At Heron Hill Care Home, the team take pride in a service that focuses on great care, all tailored to your loved one's needs.

The Care Home is conveniently located in Kendal, an historic town which stands at the entrance to the beautiful English Lake District that has excellent access to road, rail and bus links.

The 24/7 dedicated care team of experienced nurses, carers and support staff work to deliver a personalised care approach, helping your loved ones to retain their identity, independence, well-being and self-worth.

The care staff always take time to get to know residents by listening to stories, sharing moments with them and understanding their preferences, building stronger relationships so that residents never feel alone or misunderstood.

Heron Hill Care Home has an array of care packages to choose from, whether residential, nursing, dementia or end of life care, the team will support you and your loved one's needs, every step of the way.

The care home really is in the heart of the community where everyday life for residents is filled with something new. Whether it is being part of the town’s festivities and projects, sharing memories of the past with local school children, creating beautiful gardens for all to enjoy, or just a day of laughter and fun playing board games with new friends.

No description can equal a personal visit, so join the home, if you wish, for a cup of tea, a meal or to participate in social activities.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • For a maximum of 86 Service Users

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
  • Convalescent Care
  • Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

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
  • Ground Floor Accommodation only
  • Gardens
  • Bar/Café
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1395 – £1600
  • Self-Funded Nursing Care: £1395 – £1600
  • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: £1395 – £1600
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care: £1395 – £1600
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: £1395 – £1600

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Heron Hill Care Home to find out the exact price for your requirements.

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 £254.06 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Nicola Spedding (Manager)

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 50+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Last Refurbishment: 2024
  • Number of floors: 3

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (86)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (86)

Visiting

  • Currently have no visiting restrictions, although please avoid meal times.

Parking

  • On site parking

Heron Hill Care Home Reviews (83)

9.5

Heron Hill Care Home has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.537) out of 10, based on 43 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Heron Hill Care Home has 83 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 50
  • 31
  • 2
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Date Published
  • 83
  • 9
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  • 43
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Reviewer Connection to Heron Hill Care Home
  • 32
  • 10
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
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  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
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  • 1
  • 1
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Total of 83, showing 21-40
Review from S S (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 April 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I feel reassured that my mother is well cared for and supported as she is unable to make decisions for herself any longer.
The staff are always so welcoming and polite, and I can tell they genuinely have my mother’s best interests at heart.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your kind words. The team love caring for your mum. I will pass on your kind words to the team that provides Mum's care.

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Review from Allan G (Husband of Resident) published on 24 April 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My wife has not long been in Heron Hill Care Home though I have been looking after her Alzheimer's journey for more than ten years. The welcome in reception is always with a cheerful smile. My wife's needs are met promptly and with care and kindness. The staff are pleasant, very attentive and always
available to answer any questions. There is a warm and friendly atmosphere. In short, nothing seems to be too much trouble
It must be very difficult to provide activities for residents who have such varied and demanding disabilities but could more stimulation be provided in the lounge? Excellent that the home is pet-friendly.
A little concerned about other patients being able to wander into her room as she has a visual impairment.
A minor point: laundry seems to be a bit of a problem. Sometimes my wife's clothing has not been her own.
After a couple of months, I think Heron Hill Care Home is a very professional and caring place where my wife will be content and well looked after.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your kind words, your wife is a pleasure to care for. We are aware of issues with our laundry system and are working hard with the teams to eradicate these. I will pass your kind words on to the team on the unit.

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Review from Jan S (Friend of Resident) published on 16 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Superb home, very friendly caring staff. Their end-of-life care is absolutely second to none and very professional
Nothing was too much trouble, kept me updated on all of the care they were giving.
I would recommend this home to anyone looking at finding a caring understanding home for their loved
ones.
Reply from Tina Johnstone, Director at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you very much indeed for taking the time to share your thoughts and kind words, based on your personal experience of Heron Hill. The staff will be truly delighted to receive this feedback.

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Review from Judith M (Wife of Resident) published on 19 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I have always been welcomed at the home and kept informed regularly if need be by phone. The staff are always pleasant and patient in their caring of the residents in what must be difficult circumstances at times.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your kind words, I will ensure that these are passed on to the team.

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Review from Maureen H (Wife of Resident) published on 16 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband has been well cared for in the Wheawall unit for a year. Despite very difficult situations, the carers are always respectful, kind and patient with the residents. They have a great understanding of advanced dementia and how to deal with the challenges it brings. All the staff from going through
the front door are all very pleasant and go about their work in a kind and caring manner. Myself, our son's and their families and friends have always been made welcome when visiting. Heron Hill has become part of our family and we are grateful that my husband is relatively happy there.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your kind words Maureen. I will make sure that the manager and the team are made aware of them.

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Review from L J (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The staff are very nice and welcoming. The food is awful, choices of food are not meeting my dad's choice ie more traditional meals and are not person-centred. The food supplier needs changing. I am concerned about other clients wandering around in room doorways as my dad is in bed and vulnerable. My
dad has lost items of his clothes in the laundry and stuff bought other peoples into his room which do not belong to him. More activities for my who is in bed would be great.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your review, if you would like to pop in for a chat to discuss your concerns we would be happy to go through these with you.

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Review from Sue S (Wife of Resident) published on 8 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Everyone from the front office to the people on my husband's unit are very kind and helpful. My only complaint is that my husband's clothes are always going missing, please can someone try to find them.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your kind words, I will make sure that these are passed on to the team.

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Review from Evelyn P (Wife of Resident) published on 8 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I knew from the moment we walked through the doors of Heron Hill that everything was going to be alright.
There was such a lovely warm atmosphere and the staff were so welcoming; they gave me confidence that they would care for my husband.
There's a great programme of activities that would help him
to engage and communicate. Nothing is too much trouble. Thank you everyone.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you so much for your kind words, we are so glad that you and your husband are happy with us at Heron. I will make sure the team are aware of your comments.

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Review from C D (Wife of Resident) published on 4 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Happy caring atmosphere, and carers and management are very approachable. The care of the resident is good, patient and friendly.
Rooms got a bit shabby but clean.
Food; vegetarian options are sometimes a bit basic, vegetables are sometimes rather overcooked and not much flavour but varied and my
husband is generally content with his food.
Activities; my husband is very limited in what he can do and/or wants to respond to, so not applicable, really.
But overall, very content with care at Heron Hill.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your feedback, we will pass this on to the teams and look to rectify some of the areas you have raised.

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Review from J B (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 December 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My sisters and I have been visiting our mother regularly for the past seven years, and feel the home has been very caring and supportive over that time. As our mother's health has declined, she has become unable to take part in any activities so I do not feel able to comment about that aspect. The staff
are always very approachable and pleasant, and look after our mother with great care.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your kind words, we will pass them on to the team on Cavell.

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Review from Linda L (Wife of Resident) published on 17 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We would just like to thank all the team of the Wheawall Unit, especially the senior members for the care my husband receives. He is always clean and well presented and he seems happy around staff and other residents alike. As visits are not as often as we would like (living an hour away) we know he
is being well looked after and his welfare is the team's priority.
Many thanks to you all.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you so much for your kind words, we will pass these on to the team.

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Review from S G (Son of Resident) published on 9 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Dad has settled into the home far better than we expected and is always looked after and is clean and shaven when we visit. His room is of a good size and is clean and well decorated coupled with a recently refurbished en-suite. The home appears very well run with a stable staff base that is of great
benefit to dementia patients. The home has very much a family feel to it.
Initially was nervous about using a larger care home but they have the systems and infrastructure in place to offer strong levels of care. Also really good to see continued investment in the building fabric.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your kind feedback, we will pass this on to the team. We also look forward to your visits.

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Review from Gail H (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 October 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My brother and I are very happy with the care our dad receives. He is well looked after. We have no concerns. The staff keep us up-to-date re Dad and if he had to have the doctor. We are kept well informed.
It gives the family peace of mind knowing Dad is being well cared for. The staff are lovely
and very helpful.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Hi and thank you for your kind words, I will pass these on to the team.

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Review from Barbara B (Partner of Resident) published on 18 October 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I would just like to say how well my beloved partner is being looked after. He is always very clean and tidy. His room is always clean and tidy. The staff from reception to the unit are very polite and always greet me with a smile. He looked very happy when I visited him today and he gave me his usual
lovely smile and was very pleased to see me with a kiss. I would like to say a big “thank you” to all the staff for all your hard work and wonderful care.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Hi and thank you so much for your kind words, I will share them with the team.

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Review from L B (Friend of Resident) published on 12 October 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very pleasant staff on every floor. They are very kind to the residents. Very clean. The dining room is beautiful.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your kind comments, I will pass these on to the teams.

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Review from M B (Wife of Resident) published on 12 October 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My experience of Heron Hill Care Home is excellent. The staff can't do enough for you. They are all very pleasant and helpful. They also have lovely smiles from the carers to the management, maintenance, cleaners etc. They all do a great job, especially considering the difficult nature of the work.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your lovely words. We love your visits and the joy you also bring to the unit! I will pass your comments on to the team.

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Review from Roger B (Husband of Resident) published on 11 October 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
All staff caring and when asked any questions about the patient there is an answer and if not will seek the answer.
The main downfall to the establishment is laundry and care of. Although clothing is tagged I have had to go to laundry on occasion to find my wife's clothing or have seen other patients
wearing items of clothing or found item in unclaimed box or rack even though they are marked. Plus items can go missing from rooms i.e. personal cushions and blankets etc.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your comments, we are aware that the laundry systems need reviewing, and value any suggestions that you may have in relation to this.

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Review from Suzanne M (Niece of Resident) published on 11 October 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
All the staff on Wheawall are amazing. They do a great job. It's a weight off my shoulders knowing that my uncle is so well looked after. He always seems so happy and content when I visit. The staff are great at keeping me up to date on how he is doing as I live a long distance away and can't visit
as often as I would like to.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thanks for your kind comments. I will pass these on to the team.

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Review from Kevin M (Friend of Resident) published on 9 October 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My friend seems very happy with the care she is receiving and likes the carers very much. She is a touch wary of a few other residents but knows just to steer clear of them. She seems content with her room and conscious of her surroundings. The food is described as edible but surely this is a requirement
of all meals.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thanks for your comments, we will pass this on to the teams.

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Review from Dan G (Grandson of Resident) published on 6 October 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my grandparents are in Heron Hill Care Home and ever since they’ve been there they’ve been very happy and very well looked after by all the amazing staff.
Reply from Nicola Spedding, Registered Manager at Heron Hill Care Home

Thank you for your review, I will share this with the teams. We love caring for your grandparents and look forward to all family visits.

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Current Review Score: 9.5 (9.537)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.5 (9.537) out of 10 for Heron Hill Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 43 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 43 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.537 for Heron Hill Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (322 Excellents x 5) + (130 Goods x 4) + (41 Satisfactorys x 3) + (5 Poors x 2) + (1 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 499 Ratings = 4.537
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Heron Hill Care Home is based on 43 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 86 registered maximum number of service users is 17.2, which has been reached with 43 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 18 Mar 2023

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Good
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England. View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

1 Bed Vacancy

Posted: 28 Aug 2025

Please contact us - we would enjoy showing you around our beautiful home.

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Awards / Recognitions (16)

Meet the Team (1)

Nicola

Nicola Spedding

Job Title: Home Manager Joined: 2019

Nicola started her career in the care sector in 1992 as a carer in a nursing home. She worked her way up to her current position of Registered Home Manager. Along the way, Nicola has studied to gain the knowledge required to become a good home manager. She has her NVQ level 4 in Health and Social care and Management, along with the Registered Managers level 4 award. Nicola has worked in both residential and nursing homes for the elderly.


Nicola is passionate about promoting a high quality of care for her residents, their families and her team. Nicola supports her team to achieve this through training, supervision and guidance. She also encourages open and honest discussions with her residents and their families to help her and her team to perform the best they can.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Heron Hill Care Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Heron Hill Care Home has an Enhanced Service - more info.