






Casterbridge Manor is set in the picturesque village of Cerne Abbas near Dorchester. The home offers the highest standard in residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, in a warm, safe and friendly environment where residents can benefit from excellent care from qualified nurses and highly trained caregivers, whilst maintaining their independence.
The care is personalised to the needs of every individual, from nutritional home cooked meals using locally sourced fresh ingredients...
Care Provided by Casterbridge Manor
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Learning Disability / Autism
- Mental Health Condition
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
- Eating Disorders
- Alcohol / Drug Misuse
- 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 64 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
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Bariatric Care/Obesity
- Convalescent Care
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Accommodation only
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Residents Kitchenette
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Casterbridge Manor for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Casterbridge Manor 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 £267.68 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Pebblestones Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Dawn Tiso(Registered Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 18+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2025
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (58)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (3)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (58)
- Couples/Companion Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (3)
Visiting
- open visiting
Parking
- Car parks to the front and rear of the building
Casterbridge Manor Reviews (28)
Casterbridge Manor has a Review Score of 9.3 (9.338) out of 10, based on 12 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Casterbridge Manor has 28 reviews.
She has had problems with eating and drinking but that seems to be sorted out now.
She seems more alert lately, not so sleepy as in the past.
The courtyards are a little tired and could do with freshening / sprucing-up.
Overall though it has been a positive experience.
The staff at Casterbridge Manor really shine here. From the friendly receptionist and availability of manager/nurses is easy. If there are concerns they are sensitively addressed and sort. The nursing team contact me if there are any medication changes or updates on general condition - I have P.O.A. Visitors are welcomed and often with a cup of tea! I feel my husband is safe here with effective care.
The big old building has been refreshed with new hard flooring and decorating in the past 18 months.
1. The friend that IU regularly visit once a week is more or less bedbound. One of her very few pleasures is her TV, so clean specs are essential, but each time I visit, they are very smudged and greasy, and I have to clean them. This should be done regularly for her.
2. The cleanliness of her bedside tray is not up to standard - old dried food dried on.
Thank you for your review and for your overall positive feedback. We're sorry to hear about the cleanliness concerns you raised, which do not meet our expected standards and have been addressed with our care and housekeeping teams. As manager of the home, I operate an open-door policy, and you are...
My husband entered Casterbridge Manor care 2 years ago. He found it very hard to settle but with patience and understanding he settled in. He was a very active person and walked day and night but always there to help his companions. He suffered with his Alzheimers and was constantly struggling with life. The carers were helping him every day and gave him and myself care and love. He died peacefully.
Thank you for your kind words and feedback. We strive to ensure we don't compromise the care delivery for your loved ones and ensure that the environment also reflects this.
Came to visit a dear friend at Casterbridge Manor, and from entering the home we was greeted with friendly staff, the home had a warm, welcoming feeling. The home was very clean, and my friend's room was very cosy and personalised. On our visit, we was offered tea and cake *homemade and delicious). This is our first visit there, and was very impressed by everything. Lovely home and staff. Whatever they are doing, keep it up; they are doing an excellent job.
Kind Regards
Dawn Tiso
Registered home Manager
On arriving at the home I was greeted by the receptionist who was very friendly and attentive she showed me to my mums room which was very light & airy. my mum looks the best she has looked in years! Mum was well looked after & reported the staff were very kind. I asked a staff member who I needed to speak with regarding Mum & finances, I was taken to the admin who assisted me with all my needs. I then met the manager & had a chat wtih her. She was very kind & caring. Thank you Casterbridge Manor.
Thank you for your kind words and review we strive to ensure that we do not compromise the care delivery for your loved ones
My father was in Caterbridge Manor for the last 6 weeks of his life. He was suffering from a horrible skin cancer that had destroyed half of his face. He needed daily dressings. The staff at Caterbridge Manor treated him with absolute dignity and respect and looked after him very well for the last part of his very long life. As a family we were kept informed about Dad's care and very well looked after and during his passing.
One of our greatest achievements was helping...
Mu husband received full nursing care for 3 and a half years. His care was gentle, respectful and kind as he was dependant on others for all movement, feeding and personal hygiene. He had an active brain and was enabled to join in activities, where possible. At all times, our family were encouraged to visit and welcomed with a smile from all staff members. I was fully informed of the details of his care, and felt free to discuss details of the care routine. I cannot thank them enough for all the kindness that I have been shown and the diligent and gentle care that my husband received.
Thank you for your kind words and will pass onto to our staff team. We strive to ensure that we don't compromise on the delivery of care for your loved ones.
My 92 year old father has received excellent palliative care from experience, caring medical staff and carers. No one could ask for more for their loved one. Always a warm welcome from the wide team and a crack cup of tea.
Thank you for your kind words. This is a credit to the team for the hard work they carry out for the delivery of care to your loved ones.
The love, the care, the compassion - unconditional to my mum and to her family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you for the wonderful words. Team Casterbridge Manor are exceptional and strive to ensure there's no compromising on the delivery of care for your loved ones.
I visited my nan for the first time on 23/11/2023 and upon arrival I was met with a warm friendly greeting. The home smelt beautiful and I was told it was hot spiced apple on sale for visitors, I brought a cup for myself and the lady on reception let me take one for my nan too, while I waited I read the events boards. It all sounded fantastic, a real fun filled month of Christmas. The lady on reception then also helped me to her room and was happy to answer my questions. Whilst visiting with Nan she told me how happy she was and that she is well looked after, I could see this for myself as she looked really well. A carer came in and spoke with Nan about the tea time menu and asked her what she would like. I thought this was really nice and still gives Nan the independence of choice and the evening's tea sounded lovely too. I am so pleased with the care my nan is receiving at Casterbridge Manor. It's a huge comfort to me and my family to know she is in good hands. Thank you all.
Thank you for your review, I am glad you have the comfort that your loved one is in good hands.
My dad has been moved down to palliative care floor from nursing floor. He appears to have more attention and better care. Nurse in charge every Saturday will come and talk to myself and Mum and we are offered a drink every week. Regular calls made to me from the palliative care team every Wednesday, as always asked for since Dad has been in. We are given updates without having to ask. So pleased Dad is being cared for on this floor now.
Thank you for your review. We are glad that you are happy with the care delivered to your dad. We try not to compromise on the delivery of care.
I found the first and following observations of the building and facilities to be modern and well-maintained with a lot of thought gone into the decor and equipment. The care staff from management to carers etc showed a very friendly and professional manner in all aspects. I was particularly impressed with the handling and administering of drugs and medication.
Thank you for your review. We endeavour not to compromise on the delivery of care for your loved ones.
Thank you for the care and attention you gave my father in his time of need. His complex and changing needs were met with care and professionalism. I was always confident he was safe and looked after. Thank you for keeping me informed at those important times.
Thank you for your review. We endeavour to ensure we don't compromise on the delivery of care for your loved one.
The management and care staff at Casterbridge Manor care home have been excellent. They have given our family the confidence in knowing our mother was in safe hands. The care and assistance provided by the staff has been invaluable to our Mother and family. Thank you.
We aim to ensure that we don't compromise on the delivery of care needs for all loved ones.
I am always greeted with smiles and professionalism when visiting. It is difficult as I am visiting someone with dementia but he is always happy and contented. Enjoys his food. Sometimes may need a shave/haircut but mainly is always clean and presentable.
Thank you for the review. We try and ensure all our residents' care needs are met and are happy living at Casterbridge Manor.
At first, my loved one felt very happy in this home and her care appeared good. It was disappointing that an accident happened that should have been and could have been avoided. Too many new, young staff who were not adequately trained so sadly care started to drop and this had to be reported, most were upheld. An illegal eviction followed due to issues being raised in a polite manner to home, no attempt to discuss and resolve issues, just go with 7 days then go. Illness followed which resulted in a hospital stay and tests etc and despite appearing concerned, an email was soon received stating loved one was not welcome back so loved one became homeless. As a direct result, an acute hospital bed is now being taken up by someone ready for discharge. My loved one is very distressed and unhappy desperate to leave the hospital. Thank you, Casterbridge Manor.
Thank you for the review. At Casterbridge Manor we strive to ensure we deliver the best possible care to all our residents. Unfortunately, we couldn't meet your loved one's care needs hence the notice served.
The standard of care in Casterbridge Manor Care Home is excellent in my experience. My partner is looked after very well and he is very contented. I am very happy with the way in which the staff carry out their duties and am very satisfied overall.
Thank you very much for your kind words. We strive to improve and your feedback is much appreciated.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 15 January 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 (1) & Events (0)
- 12 Dec 2025
Our management, staff, and residents transformed into a merry band of elves for the day! Pointy hats, jingling bells, and festive cheer filled every corner. The highlight? Elf Bingo! With...
There are no upcoming events for Casterbridge Manor.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for Casterbridge Manor.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Casterbridge Manor.
Meet the Team (0)
There are no Team Members posted yet.
Frequently Asked Questions about Casterbridge Manor
What types of Care is Casterbridge Manor registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Learning Disability / Autism, Mental Health Condition, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment, Eating Disorders, Alcohol / Drug Misuse, Younger Adults are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Casterbridge Manor have?
There are 58 Single Rooms and 3 Couples/Companion Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Casterbridge Manor?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Ground Floor Accommodation only, Gardens, Bar/Café, Residents Kitchenette, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Casterbridge Manor to the centre of Dorchester?
7.1 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
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