
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.
My mother has been a resident for a number of years and is happy and well cared for. She has all her needs addressed. She enjoys the activities - loves dancing and quizzes. She has been kept safe during this difficult time in Covid.
Thank you for taking the time to review Wickmeads, I am so pleased to read that your mother is enjoying her stay with us. Wishing you both well.
Friendly staff from the welcome at reception to everyone caring for residents in the home. The home is bright and cheerful with lots of activities and inclusion. Excellent meal choices and quality, comfortable bedrooms.
Thank you for your review, it's wonderful to read such fantastic comments. All the best.
Our mother has dementia caused by a mild stroke and has been thriving at Wickmeads for eighteen months now. We had to choose a care home for her during Covid restrictions when we were unable to take a tour and we are sure we made the right choice. We were kept up to date with information throughout the pandemic. It is only within the last few months we have been able to see inside Wickmeads for ourselves and appreciate how clean, light and airy it is everywhere and the care and attention that each resident is given. The manager is very hands-on and all the staff make an effort to get to know relatives and the likes and dislikes of the residents. There is an active social programme, including trips in the minibus, which aims to stretch the mind and body - it isn't all singalongs as we feared! The hairdresser and chiropodist visit regularly and the staff are happy to facilitate video or phone calls. The gardens are well-kept and are an oasis of care and brightness. All in all, we have had a huge weight taken off our minds as we know she is being well looked after.
Thank you so much for your review, I am so delighted to read your comments and we will be sure to pass them on to all the team at Wickmeads. Wishing you all the best.
My brother, sister and I are pleased both parents have settled into Wickmeads. Mum has dementia and dad is very forgetful and they had to stay together, after agonising over what to do for the best, staff are lovely and it seems lots of activities each week are going on.
Thank you for your review, it's wonderful to know your parents are enjoying their stay with us at Wickmeads. All the best.
I cannot give enough praise and thanks to the whole team at Wickmeads. For the ten months my mum stayed with them she was loved by all. It was not just a job to the team, the team cared. Due to Covid, the team were under some pressure due to staff shortages but they still found the time to help and were always calm. It gave me time to rebuild my relationship with my mum and to anyone reading this review Wickmeads is worth every penny and more. You do hear bad things about care homes and I am sure some stories are true but I promise you the day I need to go to a care home, this is where I would like to be. The home itself is modern and clean and everyone is treated like family. My mum passed away holding the hand of one of the staff members, my mum was not left to pass away on her own which was her biggest worry. Thank you to the manager and your team.
Thank you, Russell, for taking the time to leave us a review. I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. It really does mean the world to the team when reviews such as these come in. I'll be sure to share with all at Wickmeads. Wishing you all the best for the future.
The overriding feeling of the home is of friendliness and happiness. Staff are caring and considerate. My mother has been in the home for a year. She came to the home from the hospital. We were lucky that Wickmeads were able to admit residents during the Covid controls. Mother decided she wanted to move to a care home nearer her house but within two days she desperately wanted to return. The home offers daily events which she largely chooses not to become involved in. She enjoys weekly hairdresser and regular chiropodist visits. The location near the river gives the opportunity to visit the tea gardens that do excellent coffee, cakes and snacks. They also have a wheelchair friendly picnic bench for sunny days! From a relative's viewpoint with a 2-3 hours journey and dogs, the local walks are a great boon. Staff go out of their way to facilitate daily phone calls.
Thank you for your review, I'm so pleased to hear your mother is enjoying her stay with us, I am also delighted to hear you're enjoying the surrounding area when you visit, it really is a wonderful location! Wishing you all the best.
Wickmeads provides a supportive and caring home for my mum, as her ability to live independently declined during the pandemic. The management team (who are very ‘hands on’) and care staff did their utmost to help Mum settle and adapt to her new surroundings. The home itself is light and airy, with a nice relaxed atmosphere and well planned communal spaces (including small/quieter areas) which are well utilised. I am very grateful for the provisions made to keep everyone safe and facilitate visiting of our loved ones in such challenging times and feel I am always very welcome. There is a good and varied programme of weekly activities, with organised outings once again. I am kept well informed of any concerns with my mum’s health, in addition to receiving regular monthly updates and at all levels the staff are always friendly and helpful, ensuring residents' needs are met, their well-being and safety being paramount, for which I am both very grateful and appreciative.
It was a difficult decision to move mum from her own home as her dementia got progressively worse but the management and staff at Wickmeads made the transition the best it could be. The location and environment for Wickmeads is great, the place is clean and well looked after. Mum is always well dressed and it is clear the staff do take pride in looking after their residents. I would highly recommend Wickmeads.
My Mum has received the highest standard of care in the difficult period of readjustment to her new surroundings and dealing with her dementia. This is also true for us, the family. Everyone has been amazing, kind and understanding. In the last few weeks, we have seen such an improvement in Mum as she benefits from the social activities and events. This is exactly what we had hoped for. Mum is well cared for, tidy, clean and loves the food. She enjoys having her hair done and supervising the gardeners! I can't recommend this home strongly enough. Well done to them all.
Mum moved to Wickmeads straight from hospital and just before the first COVID lockdown. We have been so grateful that she has been at Wickmeads during this time and are very happy with the care she has received. The team at Wickmeads have done a great job of putting in place a system which has meant I have still been able to see mum regularly and whenever I do she is happy, cared for and well-fed. Can't really ask for more than that.
My Mum (81) who has mild dementia went into Wickmeads in April when Dad fell ill and was no longer able to care for her. From the start, all the staff made every effort to reassure her and us, that she would be happy and safe in their care. She settled in quickly with help from the staff and soon made friends and joined in the activity programme. When I visited her I was pleased to see that she looked happier and healthier than she had for several months. I always felt that the staff were fond of my Mum and cared very much for her wellbeing, and when she moved to a different care home to be nearer my Dad, it was a bit of a wrench for both of us! I would definitely recommend Wickmeads to others.
This was our second stay and we were made to feel so very welcome. The staff are absolutely lovely. As a visitor, I was always made to feel welcome and full safety was always observed.
My parents moved into Wickmeads. My mother transferred from another care home and my dad went in for respite. My mother died shortly afterwards and my dad was looked after with high quality care. The care home is extremely well manned and employs excellent team of carers. I can definitely say this is a lovely care home and all the staff are dedicated to their work. The manager couldn’t of been more helpful. Thank you.
I have been very impressed with how the staff have helped my husband to settle into Wickmeads. They have dealt very professionally with him even when his behaviour, due to the dementia has been challenging. The staff care about the residents and their communication with family is good. Highly recommend.
I visited Mum today to celebrate her 89th birthday. I met several of your colleagues who helped supervise and organise the visit. They were so nice, helpful but also professional and I would like you to pass my thanks to them, please. I was very impressed but also touched by their input. Mum looked great, clean, well dressed and actually better than I had hoped and I think she enjoyed every minute of the morning. I know older people can be difficult but I am grateful for the patience you all show.
This last year has been very difficult for anyone with a relative in a care home. When you live 200+ miles from the care home, as I do from Wickmeads, keeping in touch is even more challenging. Since my last visit to Wickmeads in March 2020, I have been very grateful for the contact and understanding shown by the employee team at Wickmeads. Wickmead's Activities Lead has been a particular star, patiently and professionally facilitating a 30 minute Facetime chat for us every week. I feel I have always been able to have an open and honest discussion with the Home Manager, any time I wanted more or more detailed information about my stepmother's health and well-being. And every week, I have been able to see how well-cared for my stepmother has been. All of this has given me clarity and reassurance when I cannot visit.
As a family, we were happy with the care provided to our stepmother. However, when it came to my stepmother's transfer to another home the service provided fell short of expectations. They agreed on the method of transfer and then the following morning backtracked on this, no communication of this to stepmother's wife and caused a lot of stress and upset to us as a family on what should have been a stressful and upset free experience.
My family and I offer our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the whole team at Wickmeads. During such a challenging and difficult last six months for all, they continued to deliver outstanding care and comfort and included those little personal touches and activities that gave my mum a happy and fulfilled life. When visits were not possible, there was always excellent communication and sharing delivered in an appropriate way and always sharing of little insights of Mum's life at Wickmeads. A lovely, caring home and dedicated staff team. If you are considering a new home for a loved one, look no further.
My Dad was looked after by the staff at Wickmeads for the last few months of his life. During a really challenging time, I was reassured that my Dad was receiving excellent care. My mum also had to stay here for a few weeks and again she was really well looked after. I would most certainly recommend this care home, which I feel is extremely well run and employs an amazing team of carers. I can’t thank the team here enough for taking care of my beloved Dad when it became impossible to care for him at home. Thank you.
The manager and her staff are all excellent. The rooms and communal areas are very attractive in what is a modern recently built home.
It is situated in a beautiful location near to the river, which is a lovely place to walk or sit on a nice day.
I am very happy to recommend Wickmeads to anyone looking for a care home for themselves or a family member in the surrounding area.
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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