Water Mill House Care Home

Rose Lane (Off Red Lion Lane), Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BP
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9.7 118 Reviews
  • Water Mill House Care Home, Hemel Hempstead
Water Mill House Care Home provides expert care to adults (18+) with a range of support needs including rehab following a stroke or amputation, paralysis, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s. The dedicated team also delivers residential, nursing and dementia care with love and kindness whilst holding platinum accreditation under the Gold Standards Framework for compassionate end-of-life care.

Residents are supported to try new activities and rediscover former hobbies. From music and movement sessions, reminiscence projects, to brain gym, and make a wish initiative, there is truly something for everyone. As well as frequent excursions to local places of interest on the minibus and visits from entertainers, schoolchildren and the ‘Newt Brigade’, the home’s preschool group.

Water Mill House is a stimulating environment that promotes independence. Set over three floors, the spacious home with state-of-the-art gym, equipped with cardio machines, resistance equipment and stretching aids, ensures a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation, enabling community clinicians, physiotherapists and the home’s care team to work in partnership. Together they create and review personalised care plans that maximise each resident's rehabilitation potential, promoting their physical recovery, improving mobility, and enhancing communication skills.

Families are an integral part of life at the home, which boasts beautiful en-suite bedrooms, a bustling bistro, sunny rooftop terrace and on-site library, cinema, spa and hair salon. All surrounded by tranquil landscaped gardens with scenic views of the Hertfordshire countryside.

The team receives comprehensive training and professional development to deliver the high standards of holistic care residents and families deserve. In November 2023, it was a finalist in the Dignity in Care category at the East of England Great British Care Awards 2023.
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Care Provided by Water Mill House Care Home

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Learning Disability / Autism
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment
  • Younger Adults

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • For a maximum of 70 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
  • Bariatric Care/Obesity
  • Convalescent Care
  • Day Care

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 What's included?

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1900
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1900
  • Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £1900
  • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £1900
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1900
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1900
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £1900
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £1900

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

Contact Water Mill House Care Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

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.

Contact Water Mill House Care Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Victoria Forsythe (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Information

  • Mixed (no single-gender units)
  • Ages 18+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Last Refurbishment: 2025
  • Number of floors: 3

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (70)

Water Mill House Care Home Reviews (118)

9.7

Water Mill House Care Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.715) out of 10, based on 46 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Water Mill House Care Home has 118 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Water Mill House Care Home
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Total of 118, showing 1-20
Review from J B (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 February 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My parents both have dementia and have lived at Water Mill House since 2022. My father passed away in November 2025. The end of life care that he received there was compassionate and attentive and his last days were calm, peaceful and pain-free. My mother has advanced dementia and still lives at Water
Mil House, where she benefits from the warm, cosy environment and excellent variety of activities and social events.The staff know her inside out, understand how she ticks and provide her with great affection and reassurance. They helped her transition from wife to widow with kindness and sensitivity.
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Review from Gaynor F (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 February 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From the minute you walk through the door, you feel warmth, and are greeted by every member of staff from reception, staff in the Bistro, carers, general and Deputy Manager. Both my parents are currently on the nursing floor, and the care they are receiving is exceptional. When they are able, they love
all the activities, bingo, French Boules, playing Scrabble, and sharing a cuppa with other friends in the home. I feel so grateful that they are so happy being able to have the care and support they are receiving. Thank you.
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Review from Pam W (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 January 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum moved to Watermill March 2025 she was lonely and vulnerable & i had a 5 hour journey to visit her. She settled in very quickly the staff as they are all so kind an nurturing. My mum is 95 years old & has many ailments that they tend to with a smile on their faces. She loves the bistro where there
is always people to talk to and activities going on. She regularly visits the hair salon which is her thing so she always feels special. She also loves the cinema room where she catches up with films and series. Nothing is too much trouble when it comes to meals they adapt to the resident and fulfil their dietry requirements. They keep me posted where they feel necessary and she recently had an illness that has put her in hospital and if it wasn't for the quick thinking of the staff I do believe she woule not be here today. I am even more impressed that whilst in hospital she has had a visit from the staff several times. I feel the staff at Watermill go over and above.
Highly recommended
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Review from Zoe B (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 January 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Water Mill House is the most comfortable and professionally run home what I could find in the area. The staff are well trained and compassionate with a high number of nurses even on the non-nursing floors. The home has weekly visits from the GP. There are plenty of activities to liven the day and keep
a positive mindset. The rooms are very attractive and comfortable. Families are included and made welcome. I thoroughly recommend it.
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Review from C B (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 January 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
As always on our visit to see dad, we were met by the lovely chap on reception - always very helpful and welcoming.
All staff are always very welcoming, and always take great care over dad. Very respectful of him and his face lights up when they speak to him.
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Review from N D (Son of Resident) published on 29 January 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I find all staff at Water Mill House to be caring, and in good spirits.
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Review from E D (Wife of Resident) published on 29 January 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am so pleased we found Water Mill House for my husband's care. The staff are welcoming, caring and respectful. They keep us up to date with any health issues and extend support to me and my daughter as well, which is over and above what I had experienced in the past with other family members years
ago with other homes.
This month my husband was supported to a family occasion with a very caring and kind member of staff who helped the day go very well.
A huge thank you to all involved.
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Review from Jackie L (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 January 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Since coming into The Water Mill dad has received excellent care. He is very comfortable and being well looked after by the wonderful staff for this stage in his life, we as a family, feel he couldn't be in a better place. Everyone is so lovely.
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Review from Sharmane E (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 29 January 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Staff are always friendly and family are always made to feel welcome. Lovely to be able to spend time together as a family, whether in the Bistro, cinema room or at the events put on by the home. Nan is well cared for and seems happy and content.
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Review from S V (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 28 January 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Staff are very friendly and kind. There are lots of things to do for the residents like animals coming in or trips. My nan enjoys it here.
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Review from Brian L (Husband of Resident) published on 20 January 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Water Mill House have been very accommodating with their help from the very beginning of our journey.
We were made to feel welcome from our 1st visit to view the premises with very little notice. We were met at reception and given a comprehensive tour with nothing hidden, everyone going about their
day to day routine.
The staff are all friendly and welcoming and all play their part in making the care home a nice place to reside.
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Review from H G (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 January 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum was a resident at Water Mill for the final six years of her life, and throughout that time she received excellent care. The staff showed genuine kindness, patience, and respect, treating Mum with real compassion. For the most part, they took the time to understand her needs, preferences, and personality,
and this made a significant difference to her quality of life as her needs changed over the years. In particular, I would like to highlight the exceptional care provided during the final three weeks of her life, when she was placed in palliative care. The compassion, sensitivity, and professionalism shown by the staff during this period was outstanding. They ensured that Mum was comfortable, calm, and well cared for, and they were equally amazing in the love, support, and reassurance they gave to us as a family at what was a very difficult time.
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Review from Colin B (Husband of Resident) published on 17 December 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have tried other care homes in the area, but this appears to be the friendliest, and the staff are really caring. My wife only stayed a few days in Watermill this month, but will be coming back for a longer stay in December. The facilities are excellent, and it feels more like a hotel than a care
home. Well done, everybody.
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Review from Carol H (Respite Resident) published on 17 December 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My one week stay at Water Mill House Care Home provided excellent respite care following an operation. The building is light, spacious, modern & well equipped. The staff are all friendly, welcoming & attentive. My only criticism of my stay was the food. I was on a liquid or soft diet and the kitchen
found this difficult. The soups were good but the main course too solid. I required pureed food which they didn't provide. I noticed some of the residents were struggling with the food. Apart from this, I enjoyed my stay & felt it very beneficial.
Reply from Victoria Forsythe, Home Manager at Water Mill House Care HomeThank you so much for taking the time to share your review and for your kind comments about Water Mill House, our environment, and our team. We're delighted to hear your respite stay was beneficial and you felt well supported following your operation.
We're sorry to learn that the food didn't fully meet your expectations. If we'd known during your stay, we would have been very happy to discuss this with you and make any adjustments possible to better suit your preferences.
I have reviewed our detailed care notes, which indicate that a soft diet was provided as requested. Our catering team has extensive experience in preparing modified diets and we always welcome feedback, including during our monthly resident meetings, where we chat about a range of topics including food as it helps us continue to learn and improve.
Thank you again for your feedback, which we genuinely value and will reflect on as we continue to enhance our service.
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Review from Sue H (Sister of Resident) published on 30 October 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I can't describe my sense of gratitude that our brother is being cared for with such compassion and diligence. The care home both cares and is a real home. There is no inkling of "institutional living". We were served the most delicious lunch and treated as real family members, not tiresome visitors.
5 stars all round! Thank you.
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Review from Mike D (Brother of Resident) published on 29 October 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We came to Water Mill House to have lunch with my brother. We were greeted and met with great courtesy and had a coffee in the Bistro. The ambiance was lovely and the staff were friendly and helpful. Lunch was wonderful, tasty and beautifully presented. Prior to our visit we were treated with care and
kindness. Nothing was too much trouble. Overall our experience was very positive and I feel my brother is in excellent hands.
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Review from Jill C (Resident) published on 14 October 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I felt immediately at home on arriving at Water Mill House where I received wonderful care. The staff are all amazing, friendly, compassionate and caring. I was so impressed with all the activities that are organised; and although my stay was only a short one, I did feel that this was so important for
long stay residents. If I have a small criticism it would be regarding the food. I found the meals rather stodgy and unhealthy, too much cream etc. Although I should say perhaps this is unfair as I was feels very nauseous due to medication. However this is such a small point and my congratulations to all management and staff on the way the home which run and grateful thanks to all.
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Review from Amanda D (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 6 October 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care home is well decorated, clean and tidy. The staff are very helpful, smiley and kind. Always trying to get the residents involved in numerous activities, including outside of the care home. Very well run.
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Review from Anne H (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 October 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our mum is thriving in Water Mill Care Home. Her participation in activities continue. Mum loves company, so leaving her alone in her room is not good for her. We had noticed a slippage in her care when mum moved floors from 1st to 3rd, so I think the handover could have been better, so that the new
floor got to know mum quicker. The importance and making and reading notes is imperative here. We raised our concerns and they have all been resolved now. The range of activities is excellent.
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Review from Clare C (Wife of Resident) published on 27 August 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I could not wish for a better place to for my husband who has late stages of Parkinson's. The care and kindness from every member of staff is unbelievable. They give him his dignity, but health and safety always comes first. I don't know where we would be without Water Mill Care Home.
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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.715)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.715) out of 10 for Water Mill House Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 46 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 44 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 4.715 for Water Mill House Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (427 Excellents x 5) + (93 Goods x 4) + (14 Satisfactorys x 3) + (2 Poors x 2) + (7 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 543 Ratings = 4.715
  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 Water Mill House Care Home is based on 44 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 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 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 70 registered maximum number of service users is 14, which has been reached with 44 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: 20 Sep 2023

Overall Requires improvement

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

Bed Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (18)

Meet the Team (1)

Victoria

Victoria Forsythe

Job Title: Home Manager Joined: 2020

Victoria qualified as a registered nurse in 1993 and has worked in social care for 30 years, always driven by a passion for making a difference in people's lives.


Her journey began with the NHS in Lancashire, where she quickly advanced to Ward Manager. Seeking new challenges, Victoria moved south to embrace her first role as Deputy Manager in the care home sector and found her true calling.


With extensive experience in managing and commissioning care services, Victoria has successfully led both large, privately-run care homes and smaller, family-owned homes.


Drawn to Water Mill House for its warm, family atmosphere and commitment to making every day joyful and meaningful, Victoria has built strong, caring relationships with our residents and team.


When she’s not at work, Victoria cherishes family time with her husband Richard, son Harry, and Bichon Friese, Lily. She also loves to bake!

Frequently Asked Questions about Water Mill House Care Home

What types of Care is Water Mill House Care Home registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Learning Disability / Autism, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment & Younger Adults are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

How many Rooms does Water Mill House Care Home have?

There are 70 Single Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at Water Mill House Care Home?

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 Water Mill House Care Home to the centre of Hemel Hempstead?

2.2 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 Water Mill House Care Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Water Mill House Care Home has an Enhanced Service - more info.