
There is a good and varied programme of weekly activities, with organised outingsD H(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Mum is always well dressed and it is clear the staff do take pride in looking after their residentsAndrew M(Son of Resident/Service User)

The home is in a beautiful setting, between river and sea, with stunning gardens expertly maintainedTom J(Son of Resident/Service User)

There is a good and varied programme of weekly activities, with organised outingsD H(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Mum is always well dressed and it is clear the staff do take pride in looking after their residentsAndrew M(Son of Resident/Service User)

The home is in a beautiful setting, between river and sea, with stunning gardens expertly maintainedTom J(Son of Resident/Service User)

Wickmeads is a charming, purpose-built residential and dementia care home, located close to the picturesque River Stour in Tuckton, Southbourne.
The home offers a pleasant and peaceful setting, a warm welcome and a home-from-home atmosphere. Residents can feel at home and enjoy their surroundings with relatives and friends, whilst safe in the knowledge that they are being cared for.
Wickmeads has well-appointed bedrooms, all with their own ensuite facilities. There are plenty...
Care Provided by Wickmeads
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 50 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Wickmeads for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Wickmeads 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
- Care South
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Tracey Walker (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 50+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
Room Information
- Single Rooms (50)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (50)
Wickmeads Reviews (79)
Wickmeads has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.776) out of 10, based on 22 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Wickmeads has 79 reviews.
The Wickmeads venue is in a lovely setting, smart, spacious, but homely and well maintained.
But above all this is the very friendly, caring and professional team of staff. From the manager, office staff, medical contacts, care team, kitchen team to housekeeping, all were kind and very helpful to our parents and us. We organised a physio and foot care professional to come in and they were able to engage well with the staff team and the staff then encouraged our father to do his physio daily. Mum enjoyed the activities and a hair salon treatment and a performance of Romeo & Juliet in the garden.
We highly recommend!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review. We're delighted to hear that your parents' respite stay achieved its goals and that they felt so well supported by our team. It means a great deal to know that our care, activities, and collaboration with visiting professionals made a...
We were lucky to get two adjoining rooms for 2 weeks respite care for our parents (frail Dad, Mum with mild Dementia). Worth every penny, always plenty of lovely staff bar 1 weekend evening where staff were prioritising residents not tidying plates, cups etc. It was a relief to know they were having 3 meals and their medication and where safe in the heatwave. It was easy to book in our foot care lady and seniors physio and staff were brilliant at helping Dad with daily physio inbetween. Lovely activities that Dad refused to engage with so he said was bored! But he enjoyed the food, especially cooked breakfast. It was lovely to have them close for 2 weeks and be able to visit more often (they live 1.5 hours away normally) for delicious coffee, sit in the garden or take them out for trips without wearing ourselves out with their shopping, cleaning, cooking etc. It also gave our older sister a much needed break. Nothing was too much trouble, newspapers organised, signed into local GP etc.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. We're delighted that your parents felt safe, well cared for, and that their respite stay gave your whole family some much-needed peace of mind and a chance to recharge. It's wonderful to hear our team could support their individual needs, from assisting...
They have got to know my family member and now tailor everything to her needs.
The facilities are good and just what is needed for us. Lovely home-cooked food.
Everything has been excellent from the moment we went through the doors.
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful review. We're delighted to hear that your family member has felt so welcomed and supported during their transition. It means a great deal to know our team, personalised care, and home-cooked meals have made such a positive difference. Your feedback is truly appreciated and will be shared with the whole team.
Over the last 3 months my brother has been a resident in Wickmeads we have found the level of care to be excellent. The staff are very caring and friendly and he feels safe and well looked after.
The home has spacious rooms and communal areas with beautiful decor and everything is spotlessly clean.
The surrounding garden areas are a very pleasant place to spend time and are extremely well kept with plenty of seating and shaded areas.
All in all we would highly recommend Wickmeads to anyone looking for a Care Home for their loved one.
Thank you so much for your kind review and recommendation. We're delighted to hear that your brother feels safe, well cared for, and happy at Wickmeads. Your lovely comments about our caring team, welcoming environment, and beautiful gardens mean a great deal to us. We truly appreciate your support and will be sure to share your feedback with the whole team.
The care and support were good. My mother's room was kept very clean, including an ensuite facility. Well managed - the daily activities were well organised and varied. However, we did seem to 'lose' some articles of clothing (+ incontinent pads), not coming back from the laundry.
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We're very pleased to hear that you found the care and support to be good, and that your mother's room and ensuite were maintained to a high standard. It's also lovely to know that the daily activities were well organised and provided a good variety.
We're...
I cannot speak highly enough of all the staff at Wickmeads. Each resident is cared for in such a way that all their needs, personal to them are understood and taken into account when helping them. Their habits, routines, likes and dislikes are known and taken care of. The carers are kind and patient. The home is always clean and decorated for upcoming events and special dates. Residents are stimulated by lots of different activities and singers, cats, dogs, nursery school children etc which they enjoy greatly. My mother has been at Wickmead's for over three years, and her sister was a resident for five years until her death. I treasure the support and kindness all the staff have given me and my family over the last eight to nine years. Thank you and well done.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. It truly means a great deal to our whole team to hear how supported you and your family have felt over the years, and your appreciation of our staff's dedication, compassion, and attention to detail is deeply valued. Thank you again for your trust and support.
Mum has been a resident of Wickmeads since August 2024 after her move from North Wales. She has settled in very well and the team at the home look after her needs very well. Through no fault of the home Mum has suffered with two broken hips so needs a lot of extra care and attention and this is provided in a friendly and respectful manner. They supported her physicality by enabling her to walk using a walking frame which was undfertaken without hesitation and they welcomed her back from hospital each time as soon as was possible. Sometimes Mum can be difficult due to her dementia but the team have an understanding of how her behaviour can change and adjust their support levels accordingly. I would have no hesitation in recommending Wickmeads, it is run in a very professional way across the board. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are very well prepared, nutritious, excellent choices given and dietary needs supported.
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. We're delighted to hear that your mum has settled in well since moving to Wickmeads and that our team has been able to support her needs with care, respect, and understanding. It's especially reassuring to know you felt supported during her hospital...
Dad moved into Wickmeads in Sept 2024 after loosing his wife of 50 years. He spent 15 months in a comfortable, clean, friendly home where his family were welcomed regularly. The exceptional care came at the end of his life when the staff were so caring and treated him with love and dignity. We are very grateful to all the staff for making his last few days warm, comfortable and loved.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. Such kind words, I will share this with the whole team as I know they will be very grateful. Thank you once again, it means a lot.
During this period I have been very impressed with the level of care provided and the helpfulness of all of the staff.
Overall, this is an excellent facility which I would recommend highly.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, I am so pleased to read that you have been very impressed with the level of care provided and the helpfulness of all of the staff at Wickmeads. I will share your review with the team as I know it'll be gratefully received. Thank you once again, it means a lot.
As a former local Community Nurse Manager, my standards of care have always been high and I just knew there was only ever going to be one home i would trust to care for my wonderful Dad as I had. Wickmeads!
Without exception 'every staff member" is a credit to CareSouth. Ably lead by Tracy the Home"s Manager, nothing is too much trouble. Compassionate, respectful, supportive, hardworking and kindness exudes.
My Dad is settling into a new way of life. He feels safe and respected. He is adjusting gradually. His independence is encouraged for which he is delighted. There are plenty of activities arranged and he is grateful to everyone for their kindness. Thank you
Thank you so much for your kind review, I am so pleased to read such positive feedback - you have described everything Tracey and her team strive to achieve at Wickmeads. I'll share your review with the whole team as I know they will all be very grateful. Thank you once again, it means a lot.
My mum absolutely loved every moment of her stay. The quality of care was excellent and obvious from day one that wickmeads is a care home that cares. I always believed that when the time came for mum and myself to select a care home it would be a difficult decision. We did do research and visit others BUT from the moment we made contact with Wickmeads it was an easy choice as they are leagues above the others we looked into.
Wow, thank you so much for your kind review. I am so pleased to read that you believe that the quality of care is excellent and we are 'leagues above the others' at Wickmeads - everything we strive to be at our Care South homes. I will share your kind words with the whole team as I know it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you once again, it means a lot.
My husband has been at Wickmeads for 18 months now, having moved from a Care Home on the Isle of Wight due to the poor standard of care and environmental issues. I visited several homes in Hampshire and Dorset and after a tiring day, entered Wickmeads and I knew immediately that I had found his home. I left, feeling quite emotional as the welcome, friendly atmosphere and environment was clear to see. They understand his needs and respect his dignity. I can't find the words that express the gratitude I feel. The staff have given him a chance of life again, having been on a downward spiral prior to his move the staff are amazing. They have reassured me as his wife during my move to be near him and I'm now able to visit regularly with the dog who gives him so much comfort. They tell me they can regularly hear him singing from his room and I think that says it all. Thank you Wickmeads.
Wow, what a beautiful review, thank you so much. It is wonderful to read such high praise for the team at Wickmeads. I am so pleased that you feel your Husband has a chance at life again. I will be sure to share your review with the whole team as I know it will be gratefully received. Thank you again.
My mum is treated beautifully by all the staff at Wickmeads and personally I feel like a friend to them. The food is supreme, so much choice and the activities are numerous. I visit about 3 times a week and I look forward to my visits immensely. There is a warm and friendly atmosphere from the minute I walk through the doors.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. I am so pleased that you feel that Mum is treated beautifully and that you find the atmosphere warm and friendly. I will share your very kind words with the team, I know they will be over the moon with your feedback. Thank you again, it means a lot.
All the staff delivered outstanding care. The food was excellent as good as a 5 star hotel. The rooms and entertainment offered was also excellent.
There were well planned breakout areas and the lovely garden. Wickmeads gave our mum, nan an amazing period of respite care to enable her to return home.
My mother arrived as a tired, confused and and unwell lady - but due to the care and attention etc the wonderful team at Wickmeads she is now very happy, eating well and is proud to call it her home; and it looking forward to meeting her new neighbours and joining in with activities. She loves the food - saying is just like a 5 * hotel! So thank you all, I am delighted she is at Wickmeads, safe, comfortable and respected.
Thank you for your lovely review. We're so pleased to hear how well your mother has settled in and that she feels happy, safe, and at home at Wickmeads. Your kind words mean a lot to our team - it's a joy to care for her.
I had heart surgery at Southampton and went to Wickmead for 2 weeks before returning home. I was very impressed by the standard of care and cleanliness, and the genuine warmth of the staff. Family and friends came to visit me and were welcomed by the staff and offered cups of tea. When I returned home, I sent a card saying that I would never forget their smiles, their laughter, their warmth, their concern!
Thank you so much for your heartfelt review. We're delighted to hear you felt so well cared for at Wickmeads and that your family felt welcomed too. Your kind words mean a great deal to the whole team!
As well as the excellent ongoing care that I see my mother receiving, I am so impressed by the range of outings, entertainment and activities available. My particular thanks to the ever-cheerful carer who regularly goes over and above.
We're so pleased to hear how much you value the care your mother receives and that our activities and outings bring her joy. We'll make sure to pass on your lovely comments to the team member you mentioned - they will be truly touched.
My husband has been at Wickmeads since the summer and is now very secure there. I can not praise the home enough. All the staff are amazing and very caring. The home is light & airy and has recently had a refurbishment of the lounge. Following the budget I was fearing the worse regarding the annual fee increase, but this has been kept to a minimum
Thank you so much for your kind words. We're so pleased to hear your husband feels secure and well cared for at Wickmeads. We truly appreciate your support and are glad the recent updates and changes have been positive for you both.
I have lived here a year on the 5th of January, it took me a long time to get used to living here, but I am a lot better now. I can go out shopping, and take the bus to the Christ Church. I spend a lot of my time reading, I also have my meals in my room which I go and get. I like helping the staff with the washing up if needed. I do make myself a cup of tea if I'm up early. I shower, wash my hair if needed, and put my damp towels in the trolly.
Thank you for your review, we are really pleased that the home are supporting you with your independence. We will share your lovely feedback with the home.
My dear friend moved to Wickmeads recently. The first impression was of a lovely, welcoming, beautifully maintained building. She was made welcome, as were all her family and friends. The kindness and support of the staff made it clear that a difficult decision was the right one. My grateful thanks to all at Wickmeads.
Thank you for your 5* review. We are so pleased to read how your friend, her friends and family feel about Wickmeads. We will share this lovely review with the team.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 13 February 2025Good
- 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 (22) & Events (0)
- 23 Jul 2026
Bournemouth care home residents were delighted and enthralled by a live, immersive outdoor theatre production performed in the garden. Wickmeads, based in Tuckton, hosted a colourful performance of Shakespeare’s Romeo...
- 02 Jun 2026
Dorset care home residents delighted in a memorable musical afternoon created especially for them by the BSO, Care South and JPMorganChase. Hosted at JPMorganChase’s Bournemouth campus, the midweek event included...
- 28 May 2026
A Bournemouth care home marked its milestone 10th anniversary with an afternoon of singing, dancing and celebration alongside residents, families and members of the local community. Wickmeads care home, based...
There are no upcoming events for Wickmeads.
Awards / Recognitions (7)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Care South
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Wickmeads.
Meet the Team (1)

I’ve worked in the care sector for 30 years in total and not a day goes by that I do not love my job and the people I look after. Seeing a smile and achieving the best outcome for them is what makes my job so rewarding. I’m also very proud of the staff at Wickmeads, who are dedicated, caring and always go the extra mile.
The views and opinions of residents are very important to me, and I like to involve them in decisions governing what is essentially their home.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wickmeads
What types of Care is Wickmeads registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Wickmeads have?
There are 50 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Wickmeads?
Own Furniture if required, Smoking not permitted, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Bar/Café, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Wickmeads to the centre of Bournemouth?
4.0 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 Wickmeads to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Wickmeads has an Enhanced Service -more info.