Dover House

57 Coombe Valley Road, Dover CT17 0EX
Review Us
9.6 69 Reviews
  • Dover House, Dover
Dover House in Dover provides nursing care including support for people with dementia.

The care home maintains contact details for all residents’ family and friends to be used for party invitations, newsletters etc. Staff focus on building relationships with residents’ family and friends as it is recognised how important it is for residents to keep in contact.

At the care home, each care companion is allocated a number of residents each day (usually 6-8 people) to support in all aspects of their daily life.

Companions meet the needs of these residents all day, including at meal times, during activities and night time routines. Staff are encouraged to spend time having a chat with residents as part of their daily routine.

Show Dover House on the Map

Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Mental Health Condition
  • 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 86 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • Bariatric Care/Obesity
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: £1995 – £1995
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1995 – £1995
  • Self-Funded Nursing Care: £1995 – £1995
  • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: £1995 – £1995
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: £1995 – £1995
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1995 – £1995
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care: £1995 – £1995
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: £1995 – £1995

Within this fee, all residents have access to the input of our highly qualified physiotherapist and exception nursing input. The fee also includes access to an array of exciting activities such as Cinema room afternoons, a snack trolley with all the resident favourites that cater for all residents from gluten free and diabetic diet choices. These are at no additional cost unless indicated (e.g. Mini vacations and caravan holidays). A consultation with our highly passionate head chef who comes with a wealth of experience within the care sector to help create a personalised diet plan to ensure that resident health is always optimised. She does this in conjunction with the nursing team and clinical management to ensure that resident weight goals be it for gaining or losing are well supported. Also included within the fee is access to the new resident manager who will be happy to support with any financial advise and signposting as well as practical assistance to access all that one is entitled to for their period in care.

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

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.

Good to Know

Person in charge

  • Amanda Lailey (Registered Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Private, NHS and Local authorities
  • Ages from 18 to 120

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Year Purpose Built: 2016
  • Last Refurbishment: 2017
  • Number of floors: 4

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (68)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (9)
  • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (68)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (9)

Visiting

  • The home is open 24/7 but would advise that visits take place outside of protected meal times unless already in the home prior. These times are as follows: Breakfast 8am to 10.30am, Lunch 12.30pm to 13.30pm, Tea 1700 to 1800hrs and Supper 1900-2100hrs.

Parking

  • Visitors may park at the back of the building by following directions or along the single yellow lines outside the home on Randolph Rd for free. Parking is also available along Coombe Valley Rd but this is chargeable by council run pay meters. Please look out for signage and instructions.

Dover House Reviews (69)

Total of 69, showing 1-20
9.6

Dover House has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.571) out of 10, based on 12 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Dover House has 69 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 63
  • 5
  • 0
  • 0
  • 1

Date Published

69
3
5
12
57

Review from Alex B (Son of Resident) published on 6 May 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Since my Dad arrived at Dover House his care has been great. Compared to my Dad's previous care home, Dover House is clean and modern. The general layout of the care home is excellent, the rooms are spacious, and the communal areas are maintained to a high standard. Most importantly, the staff are professional,
friendly and always welcoming.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Many thanks for your review. We really do appreciate the feedback.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Alice G (Sister of Resident) published on 18 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very happy with the care provided very helpful kind and caring.Staff very polite my brother was well looked after .Always on hand if you wanted to ask questions .would recommend this nursing home they are looked after so well food is excellent and a good variety plenty of tea coffee snacks available.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thankyou so much for your kind reveiw. It was an absolute honor to look after him at Dover House

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Jane M (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot recommend Dover House highly enough. From the very first interaction, it was clear that this care home is a place where both residents and families are treated with the utmost care and respect. The staff are not only highly professional but also incredibly warm and compassionate, the environment
is clean, comfortable and well maintained. The dedication and compassion shown by all staff gave us peace of mind knowing our mother was in such good hands. Truly a wonderful place!

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thankyou so much for this. We shall continually strive to deliver the best care. So much appreciated.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from T H (Daughter of Resident) published on 2 January 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum has dementia and also has suffered a stroke. The care and compassion shown by Dover House staff is simply amazing. Mum is safe and loved. The staff go out of their way to comfort and help with all Mum's needs.
Mum always looks clean and well looked after and her room is spotless.
This nursing
home is 10/10.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you so much. We shall continue striving for the very best.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Susan G (Resident) published on 19 August 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

After my experience with another care home I was sceptical about coming to Dover House but they have proved me wrong. They are considerate, kind and quick to help if they can. Whilst I enjoy the activities provided I would like there to be a wider range. I would like the range of food to be wider, particularly
for the two main options of the day.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you, Susan, we shall ensure the head chef comes to speak to you about food as we have two options and a comprehensive bar menu should anyone not fancy the main meals. We shall also continue to look into activities as a lot of disruption occurred with lift issues and unexpected situations such as illness can sometimes affect activities. We endeavour to continually improve in this domain.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from M P (Husband of Resident) published on 1 May 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My wife has been a resident at this home for the past 5 months. She suffered a stroke and has severe mobility and communication problems. She has received not only a high level of care, but the staff have been very patient and built trust and mutual understanding with her, patiently working with her
to understand her immediate needs and wishes. They have also been extremely considerate towards family and friends who are indirectly affected by the position she finds herself in. Even the staff not involved directly with care or medical issues have been fantastic to deal with. Any institution is only as good as the staff and we feel that the staff here have been wonderful. The activities rating is not ticked as she is bedbound and unable to participate in the events that have been laid on for residents.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you so much for the kind review. We shall endeavour to keep up high standards.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Sue F (Partner of Resident) published on 24 April 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would like to thank all the staff, and everyone, for all your care, love and attention you gave to my partner during the last 10 months of his life, his care was fantastic from all the nurses, and managers etc, they made him feel completely at home, a brilliant place to to live your life with brilliant
care

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you so much for such lovely feedback. We shall share this with all the team.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from David B (Son of Resident) published on 8 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother suffers from late-stage Alzheimer’s and has been a resident at Willow Park Lodge since June 2023. This is the first care home that has properly cared for my mother, who has complex needs. The home is well-managed and provides an excellent level of care. In particular, the medical follow-up
is highly professional and the staff ensure that the NHS doesn’t simply write my mother off, but instead that she receives the medication and help she needs. Above all, I cannot praise highly enough the quality of care given on a personal level. The carers really do care about my mum, and are so kind, patient and compassionate. I live abroad, and so it is a great comfort to me to be able to know that my mother is so well looked after. I can wholeheartedly recommend this care home - it is by some margin the best I have experienced.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you so much for such a lovely compliment. It is such a pleasure having your support as well to help us achieve the best outcomes for Mum.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Abby G (Daughter of Resident) published on 31 January 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I couldn’t speak more highly of the care my father received during his stay at Willow Park Lodge.
The staff are absolutely amazing, so kind and caring and spend time with the residents speaking with them. Feels like a real family environment. From the friendly front-of-house welcome at reception to
the understanding manager, who has been amazing, and their maintenance team leader, who goes above and beyond to make sure that anything that isn’t quite right is amended ASAP.
Seriously, cannot fault anyone.
Thank you all for all your kindness and care during Dad's stay.
My only regret is that we didn’t move him to you sooner.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you so much for such a lovely review. It was a great honour to look after your father. He was such a remarkable man. Always in our hearts.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Carol C (Wife of Resident) published on 31 January 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My husband spent the last couple of months of his life at the home. His many medical and nursing needs were cared for very well and with dignity. I also had access online to his daily records so I could see what happened day and night. I was very happy with how he was looked after.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you so much. We were honoured to have got a chance to look after him.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Melanie M (Daughter of Resident) published on 31 January 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The facility have some wonderful caring staff and a supportive management team who are committed to each resident and their families.
What has particularly impressed us is the personal way the staff interact with my mother.
Thank you for all you do.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you so much for the lovely review. We shall continue to strive on delivering the very best experience.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Ron W (Son of Resident) published on 28 September 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A very good care home that offered exceptional care to my stepdad in the last few weeks of his life. The care staff, nurses and management were excellent and very attentive to any needs both in care and in support. The home is equipped for all needs and the facilities are always very clean and tidy.
They kindly offered my mum overnight facilities nearer the time of my stepdad's passing. We can only praise and thank everyone at Willow Park Lodge Care Home for their amazing service.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you so much for the lovely review. It was an honour to look after your stepdad. Always in our thoughts.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Andrew D (Son of Resident) published on 5 July 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot praise this wonderful home enough.
My father came here after a hip replacement in hospital. From the first phone call with the manager, I was amazed with the care, consideration and expertise displayed. The whole traumatic experience of having a loved one go through this experience has been
alleviated by the professional and considerate manner in which this establishment is run. In the past few weeks, we have met nearly all of the team and across the board, all of the staff have been exceptional. On our daily visits, everyone is so polite and kind, showing care for myself, my mother and all the family that have visited.
Everyone we have met smiles and you can feel the family environment the management and team have created. My father has benefitted so greatly from the respite care and the improvement in his mental and physical well-being is outstanding. We cannot thank the team enough, the care you have given has secured us more precious time with my father.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you so much Andrew. We are sure going to miss you all. Don't be strangers now! We look forward to your visits soon.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from M S (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 12 April 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent service and care. Residents are treated lovingly and with great dignity. The food is excellent, the rooms are modern and comfortable and the staff are helpful, courteous and pleasant to residents and their families. This is a well-run and very nice care home. Thoroughly recommend.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you so much. It's an absolute pleasure being a part of your life. We greatly appreciate you.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from David B (Resident) published on 27 March 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very good, staff food and help.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Many thanks for the review David. We aim to please always.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from S H (Daughter of Resident) published on 14 March 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What a wonderful, caring, homely place. My father stayed for two weeks respite and settled so easily. From the time my father was accepted for respite the Manager and his staff went above and beyond to make the transition easy for my father and us as a family. The day/night staff were friendly, helpful
and very very caring. The accommodation was excellent and home from home. I would highly recommend Willow Park Lodge to any family looking for respite or something permanent.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Many thanks for the review. It was a pleasure looking after him. Following our more recent conversation over the phone, we will continue to improve the service to ensure that expectations are always met.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Astrid B (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 February 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father has come to Wiilow Park Lodge for an assessment. He is most certainly a person who in the recent past would have reacted badly to the prospect of entering a nursing home. As a gentleman with many medical issues, this caused me a certain amount of worry as I knew that eventually, it was a road
we would have to travel.
I need not have concerned myself. All I can say is Wow. The staff have been wonderful. Every single one of them. So friendly, helpful and caring. Nothing is too much for them. My dad had a haircut and shave, all organised by the staff, he's having his eyes tested, again organised by the staff. The food is delicious, it's all so clean and inviting. He is so happy here he doesn't want to leave. What a huge relief this is for me. All I can say is a huge Thank you!
I can't comment on value for money as my dad is currently funded by the NHS.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Astrid, what can we say? It is an absolute pleasure having Dad here with us. We are so grateful for the appreciation. Having you come by and visit with such an amazing personality certainly makes our day.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Christine R (Wife of Resident) published on 28 February 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are very polite. The home is very clean. Residents are very well cared for. Food is of a very good standard. All staff are very professional and kind.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Thank you so much. It has been an absolute pleasure looking after your loved one.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Patrick S (Resident) published on 14 February 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have been at Willow Park for approx two weeks. I have found that all staff are friendly and helpful - a complete contrast to my previous home. I am able to have a shower here, something I have not been able to do for some time because the owners have kindly purchased a bath chair with wheels.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Many thanks Patrick! It's an absolute joy to have you with us. Your sense of humour certainly sparks up the place and makes everyone's day!

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Sheila A (Daughter of Resident) published on 2 February 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Admission went great, and smoothly. Extremely welcoming. My mum reports feeling 'safe, secure, homely, staff are kind, caring and supportive and the food is lovely'. The staff have been proactive at integrating mum into activities, she was a hairdresser, and she pops into the salon and chats with the
hairdresser and makes sure her rolling techniques are up to scratch and picks up the sweeping brush to help. We have had great support, the team are lovely, and always ready to drop what they are doing to listen. Worked with us to help mum settle including giving her her own room key.

Reply from Nomusa Muhlwa, Registered Manager at Dover House

Many thanks for such a lovely compliment. We are greatly appreciative.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 9.6 (9.571)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.6 (9.571) out of 10 for Dover House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 12 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.7 out of 5 from 12 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:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.873 for Dover House is calculated as follows: ( (120 Excellents x 5) + (11 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 134 Ratings = 4.873

  • b) 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 4.698 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Dover House is based on 12 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 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 86 registered maximum number of service users is 17.2. 12 Positive Reviews ÷ 17.2 = 0.698

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • 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: 15 Aug 2024

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Good

  • Responsive

    Good

  • Safe

    Good

  • Well-led

    Good

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

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Awards / Recognitions (2)

Meet the Team (0)

There are no Team Members posted yet

Frequently Asked Questions about Dover House

What types of Care is Dover House registered for?

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

How many Rooms does Dover House have?

There are 68 Single Rooms and 9 Couples/Companion Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at Dover House?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Residents Kitchenette, Television point in own room & Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is Dover House to the centre of Dover?

1.0 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 Dover House to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Dover House has an Enhanced Service - more info.