
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.
I was present at Wickmeads Rest Home for two weeks respite. Those two weeks were good, apart from the food. We would have one or two days when food was good, then the next day or two would be very poor. Dont think they were interested in doing a good job (heard they were leaving). Hope replacement is better.
Thank you for your feedback. We're pleased you enjoyed your time with us overall. Regarding the food, we strive for consistency, and your comments will be taken into consideration as part of our ongoing efforts to improve.
On behalf of my family, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for the way our mum was cared for during the 5 months she was in Wickmeads. From management to carers, all were truly exceptional, empathetic and dedicated to caring, often under difficult circumstances. The home is in a beautiful setting, between river and sea, with stunning gardens expertly maintained. The interior facilities are purpose-built to a high standard throughout and are spacious. Residents rooms are well-equipped, comfy, light and airy. Activities are really engaging and regular. Visiting often, we felt part of the Wickmeads 'family' which helped relieve our anxiety about Mum being there. In summary, I think we found the perfect care home for our mum.
My wife had been to Wickmeads before and said that's the one. She spent 14 days there and was well looked after in "every way". The staff are all well trained and compassionate, well run, and when I asked staff for anything, it was done at once. Food and cleanliness first class. When my wife goes into Wickmeads full-time, I know that she will be safe and happy.
Thank you so much for your review, the team will be especially pleased to see 5 stars. I am delighted that your wife enjoys staying with us at Wickmeads and look forward to welcoming her back in the future.
Our family's expectations have been exceeded in the first month of our mother's stay at Wickmeads. Someone from the family has visited most days at various times and the entire place is always spotless. We've observed spectacular levels of care and professionalism whatever the task with staff clearly mindful of individual needs. Daily activities are incredibly varied with residents encouraged to suggest new ideas and flag favourites. The dining room is a pleasant environment with resident feedback actively sought and factored into menu planning where feasible. It's early days, but our mother appears to be thriving in this environment with more social activity and laughter than she's experienced for a very long time. In summary, so far, so good. A brief visitors' handout for newbies might be worth considering to highlight a few basics such as how to exit the building when reception is closed, using the tea and coffee machines etc..
Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so pleased that your mother is enjoying her stay with us at Alexandra House, your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your suggestions I will discuss with the team about possibly adding this to the welcome packs. All the best.
The home was one of calmness and quiet. The staff were extremely helpful and caring. Activities varied to take part in.
Thank you for your review, feedback means so much to the team, I will be sure to pass your feedback on to the team. Wishing you all the very best.
There are no words to adequately express my and my family's gratitude for the care and kindness received from the Manager, her Deputy, and all the wonderful team at Wickmeads have given both my parents. Both came here in their nineties, with very different needs - my mother with advanced dementia and my father with ongoing health issues. The consistently excellent care shown by all the care staff has been deeply appreciated, and their support of us as a family, too - we are always made to feel welcome, and nothing has been too much trouble. They have gone above and beyond in terms of their kindness and understanding. The staff move between floors, so have an understanding of all residents' needs. The staff member in charge of activities, is so caring, writing weekly emails about the excellent activities. The setting is lovely, and homely, with beautifully kept gardens, flowers and places to sit. We are so grateful for all they have done for us all - because that is how it feels.
Thank you so much for your kind words. The team at Wickmeads will be absolutely delighted to read your review. As always, we wish you all the very best.
The care my father receives at Wickmeads is outstanding. The care home itself is spotlessly clean with a warm and welcoming feel. Dad has been treated with dignity, kindness and respect throughout his residency (more than two years) but, in recent weeks, he has weakened significantly and his level of care has increased greatly, not only medically but with the core, permanent staff showing real compassion towards him and my mother who visits him on a near daily basis. It's been very difficult seeing my father decline but the one thing I've never had to worry about has been his time at Wickmeads - I feel he's safe, warm and being looked after in every way possible.
Thank you for your lovely comments, I'm sorry to read that your dad's health has declined recently, and I wish him and you all the best.
Myself and my brother only wanted the best for our mum. She has worked hard all her life. I also have worked in the caring profession. Mum has been looked after with such care and love. The staff and management have always gone above and beyond to help us and mum. The food is excellent, the home is always warm and clean, mum's clothes are looked after. I would say this is the best home - 5 stars.
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5 star review. I am so pleased that your mother is enjoying life with us at Wickmeads, I will be sure to pass your lovely comments onto the team. Thanks again.
My husband has been a resident of Wickmeads Southbourne, Bournemouth since June 2021. He has complex medical needs and is in the very early stages of vascular dementia. His care has been administered with kindness, understanding and with emphasis on dignity. Activities are carefully planned and trips out arranged when possible and the residents are encouraged to participate in a gentle manner. Wickmeads is a light airy and well-decorated home with a very pleasant garden accessible by the lift. A warm welcome always.
Thank you for your wonderful review, the team will be thrilled. I am so pleased that your husband is enjoying staying with us at Wickmeads, and I wish you both all the best.
Having worked in care homes myself in the past, I have been extremely impressed by the quality of care provided at Wickmeads. The staff are all really lovely to the residents and the visitors. They treat residents as individuals and always find time for a fun comment or cheery enquiry about how they are. They share news about themselves too so residents feel they know them like friends. We have asked to bring food to our friend for a 'take away' in the lobby and staff are always keen to support us in making it feel like a home from home. All areas are spotlessly clean and it always smells fresh. Food is excellent and we have attended both Christmas and coronation events which are lots of fun with great decorations.
Thank you so much for your lovely 5* review, it means so much to the staff, wishing you all the best.
The staff at Wickmeads are to be commended for making the King's coronation weekend one to remember. It was such an important event for (most of) the residents and all staff worked hard and were enthusiastic.
Thank you for your review, I am delighted that you enjoyed the celebrations, all the best.
My dad was cared for in Wickmead care home for a year. All the staff helped both him and my mum through many difficult times, they are a great team of lovely people. Dad was very well-loved and cared for. Thank you to them all.
Thank you for your 5* review! I will be sure to pass on your feedback to all the team at Wickmeads, Many Thanks.
The staff are friendly, extremely helpful and accommodating. The place is clean and tidy and has a lovely feel when you walk in. I like the little seating areas to give you an extra view of the garden, instead of sitting in the resident's room. The staff try and help you to create the feel of a home from home.
Thank you so much for your lovely review, wishing you all the best for the future.
Mum stayed at Wickmeads during March and April earlier this year (2023) after coming out of hospital, following a bad fall at home. All the team there made Mum feel very welcome, they were all really good to her for the short time she was there and always tended to her needs.
All the carers were brilliant and always very friendly with us whenever we made our visits to see Mum, with offers of cups of tea and cakes.Wickmeads is a very modern facility, yet homely with a lovely garden.
Mum always felt very safe there and we knew she was in good hands.
We would not hesitate to recommend Wickmeads to anyone who may need their care and support.
Thank you for your lovely review, wishing you all the best.
An exceptional supportive service. The staff were unfailingly helpful and friendly also very good humoured which was a much needed moral booster.
Thank you for your review, it means so much to the team to receive feedback like this, wishing you all the best.
The home is very clean and very light and very friendly staff and caring to all residents. Very understanding of dementia. Give residents a special time for Birthdays and Christmas. Beautiful grounds to use and dementia residents are given the freedom to walk around not forced to sit in chairs all day. The manager has appointed understanding staff which is nice to see. My husband has been here for around ten months, I can only recommend.
Thank you for your review, I am delighted to read your comments and will be sure to pass them on to the team at Wickmeads. All the best.
As a frequent visitor to Wickmeads, I have always found it to be a welcoming and friendly environment. The home is well-maintained and clean and the residents are treated with compassion and understanding. All of the staff have a warm and helpful approach towards the residents.
Thank you for your lovely review, I'll be sure to pass on your comments to the team. All the best.
Wickmeads is an excellent residential care home. I have had the privilege of visiting my dear friend of over 90 years of age for the past two years. I have never been less than impressed by the surroundings, staff, cleanliness, care, friendliness, catering, personal dignity and general ambience of the home. There are beautiful, restful outdoor spaces and plenty of diverse activities for the residents to attend.
Thank you for your 5* review, it means so much to the team to receive feedback like this, all the best!
Following a stay in hospital we needed to find a permanent home for our sister-in-law. Wickmeads impressed us in terms of layout and furnishings; in particular, the outlook onto the garden adds to her room's attraction. We are happy with the care and support she receives and with the response we get from staff and the manager when we ask for information or updates on her condition. The standard of catering and housekeeping is high and we believe that we made the correct choice.
Thank you for taking the time to review us, I'll be sure to pass on your lovely feedback to all the team.
Understandably, Dad was anxious initially to go, but he settled in very well and I think actually enjoyed the break from home, and me! He is definitely happy to go back for respite during the year. Thank you so much to everyone at Wickmeads for looking after my Dad so well for the past 2 weeks. All the staff I met were extremely professional, helpful and kind to both Dad and myself. There is such a range of activities organised I don't see how anyone could get bored. Dad is especially complimentary about the food, I don't think he has eaten so well before!
Thank you for your wonderful review, I am delighted to read how much Dad enjoyed his stay with us and we look forward to welcoming him back for further respite in the future.
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.
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