Harrier Lodge

Thanet Way, Whitstable CT5 3FS
Review Us
9.5 86 Reviews
  • Harrier Lodge, Whitstable
Harrier Lodge provides expert residential, nursing, respite and dementia care. Known as a ‘home for life’, the team can support you, even if needs change. Residents receive personalised care that reflects their needs, interests and life history.

Loved ones can visit any time and there are plenty of luxury facilities to enjoy, including the café, cinema room and hair and beauty salon. The dedicated lifestyle team ensures there’s a wide range of activities to enjoy, as well as entertainment and outings in the home’s minibus.

The en-suite bedrooms at Harrier Lodge are beautifully furnished, and couples’ suites are also available. Residents are welcome to bring personal items to make their room feel more like home.

Harrier Lodge is a ‘Veteran Friendly Framework’ accredited care home, recognising the best practice and highest standards of care for the Armed Forces community.
Show Harrier Lodge on the Map

Care Provided by Harrier Lodge

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Physical Disability
  • 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 65 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

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

Facilities

  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Bar/Café
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees What's included?

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1806
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1901
  • Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £2071
  • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £2166
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1806
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1901
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £2071
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £2166

Fees are subject to a pre-admission needs assessment which is required to fully understand the level
of care and support required by each individual. Premium rooms normally require an additional charge.
Nursing fees include the Funded Nursing Contribution (FNC) if you are eligible. There are no additional fees
for respite stays.


What’s included?
• All care and support including a monthly review of care plans
• All meals, snacks and drinks freshly prepared every day by our chef
• In-house café with homemade cakes, and a variety of speciality teas and coffees
• Use of in-house cinema
• Access to landscaped gardens
• Activities and lifestyle programme
• All utilities and other accommodation costs
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• WiFi internet access


Please note, the weekly fee does not include hairdressing, chiropody or other healthcare visits or
appointments not covered by the NHS, toiletries, newspapers or magazines, any over the counter
medications that a GP wouldn’t normally prescribe such as paracetamol and indigestion relief, and any
other privately arranged healthcare. Should you require an escort to hospital appointments, we may apply
an agreed hourly charge for this service.

The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Harrier Lodge for full pricing details and T&Cs.

Contact Harrier Lodge 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.

Contact Harrier Lodge to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Susan Simmonds (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Information

  • Ages 55+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (65)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (65)

Harrier Lodge Reviews (86)

9.5

Harrier Lodge has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.455) out of 10, based on 13 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Harrier Lodge has 86 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 81
  • 4
  • 0
  • 0
  • 1
Date Published
  • 86
  • 6
  • 8
  • 13
  • 73
Reviewer Connection to Harrier Lodge
  • 39
  • 9
  • 5
  • 5
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 2
  • 2
  • 2
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
Total of 86, showing 61-80
Review from AES (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 October 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
As has been agreed by all the family and friends who have visited, the improvement is amazing; thank you.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from B D (Son of Resident) published on 26 September 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Whenever I visit my mum, I find the staff very friendly and welcoming, from the reception desk to all the staff who look after my mum. The staff are very caring and friendly to mum and nothing is too much trouble, especially since they have to look after so many other patients. If mum needs anything
special food-wise, it's not a problem and they will get her what she wants if available. Overall, the staff and room are very good and kept tidy by the staff. I would have no issue in recommending the home to friends.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Patricia S (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 September 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My 94 year old mother was admitted to Harrier Lodge following a fall which meant she was no longer able to live alone. The minute we entered the home, we knew Mum would be safe and happy there.
On her arrival, she was greeted by all the staff and made to feel special. Her favourite meals were always
available and her every need was attended to by caring staff with smiles on their faces. Nothing was too much trouble for them. She was always treated with the utmost respect and staff ensured her dignity was maintained throughout her stay.
Mum had not walked more than a couple of steps for over two weeks after her fall but within a couple of days, she had been encouraged to walk along a corridor with her frame, in spite of her broken wrist. I was amazed!
Sadly, she passed away, unexpectedly, after a short time but I will always remember the kindness shown, not only to her, but to all our family at such a difficult time and would not hesitate to recommend Harrier Lodge to anyone.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Sue F (Niece of Resident) published on 27 August 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
What a pleasure to arrive at Harrier Lodge with a smiling face on reception, it sets the tone for the friendly atmosphere. It feels more as if you are entering a hotel than a care home, the furnishings are beautiful, everywhere is immaculate but the most important part is that the residents are treated
with the utmost respect. The staff are friendly nothing is too much trouble. What a great place to call home.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Francesca D (Great-Niece of Resident) published on 13 August 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Harrier Lodge is a warm, welcoming place who make their residents feel valued and at home.
The home is beautifully decorated and there are many communal living rooms for residents if they want a break from their own rooms. There is a salon, cafe, cinema room and lovely garden with plenty of activities
and trips planned if residents want to join in.
The dining rooms are great spaces with some sea views and plenty of fresh varied food and the residents’ rooms are light and bright.


Each visit, the staff have been so friendly and checking that my relative has everything they need, even if just a cup of tea and slice of cake. They said that they have a wonderful relationship with all the staff who treats them with respect and gives them support and independence in equal measure.


I could not speak more highly of the home and I would certainly recommend it to any future residents and their families.

  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Paul V (Nephew of Resident) published on 12 August 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since her arrival, my aunt, who is a very private person, has come out of her self and joins in the activities she likes, although still hesitates on others.
She has made friends and she loves her garden room.
The staff are excellent with her and she likes them ALL very much.
As a family, we very
pleased that Auntie is happy at the home and we are also happy that if she is having a bad day and we are not around, the staff are caring for her in the special way they do.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Tony P (Wife of Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 30 July 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I enjoyed my 2 weeks respite. Everyone was very kind and caring and my room was very comfortable. I enjoyed the activities, especially the exercise classes and thank all the staff for taking such good care of me.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from B S (Husband of Resident) published on 25 July 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am so pleased I found Harrier Lodge for my wife as her new home. Her wellbeing and happiness are vastly improved since moving from the previous care home. The difference is astounding. I feel relieved that she is living here. It gives me peace of mind. The activities provided are engaging and stimulating.
The quality and variety of food offered is excellent and my wife enjoys this. He rroom is kept to a high standard, that she is accustomed to. The staff team's care and attention are excellent. My wife and the other residents are well looked after.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Ann-Marie S (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My sister and I moved Mum to Harrier Lodge in February of this year. At the time Mum was sad and generally speaking her Alzheimer's was deteriorating fast. She had lost a lot of weight and suffered a number of falls. On her first day when we showed Mum her new room, a young carer came to greet her,
followed by other management and care staff. This set the scene for what has now become the best environment we could hope for with caring and happy staff who are great.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from C S (Daughter of Resident) published on 13 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother is so much happier since moving to Harrier Lodge. She is eating and drinking unassisted now - looks so much better - well cared for, well dressed and groomed. The staff at H L are attentive whilst also allowing my mother her own space. I feel much more relaxed about leaving my mother here
- knowing she is safe and well cared for. I am so glad my father and I decided to move her here, I think it is somewhere she would choose herself if able to.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Wendy K (Wife of Resident) published on 12 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My husband continues to like living at Harrier Lodge. They pulled out all the stops when he was ill recently and helped facilitate his discharge from hospital. They gave us a wonderful evening for our Wedding Anniversary, making such an effort to make it special. Overall we continue to be very happy,
but on a more negative note, I do feel that the ratio of staff to residents is not enough now numbers have increased. I am happy to give examples if it would help.
Reply from Samantha Debenham, Personal Assistant at Harrier LodgeWe’re grateful for your feedback and are delighted with the positive comments and scores for the care and support we provide your husband. Regarding staffing levels, I would like to assure you we do a full dependency analysis for each resident which is used to plan the care team, in order to ensure that care is safe and appropriate for residents’ 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, we do take your concerns seriously and would like to thank you for taking the time to share your views - we will arrange for a manager at the home to get in touch and discuss this further with you in person.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Karen F (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Harrier Lodge is a very clean and friendly home and was very pleased with the care for my Mum and helped her back on her feet. The food was good and the care for my Mum was excellent. Could not fault them in any way. The entertainment was good which the residents enjoyed and getting them together. The
staff were so helpful to me and my Mum. I can't thank you enough for making my Mum better to go back to her home, but will miss all the staff too.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Neal F (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 29 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
First impressions are important Harrier Lodge comes across as being friendly and inviting. The staff are helpful, kind and empathetic. The hospitality shown to guests and visitors is first rate. The standard of care cleanliness and attention to detail are excellent. Residents are offered a wide range
of opportunity to interact together and partake in organised activity designed to both entertain and assist integration. Overall impressions are very positive although I do wonder if car parking facilities will be enough to accommodate all visitors when the home is fuller than it is just now.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Alice E (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 15 May 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Grandma has been at Harrier Lodge for three months now and the level of care continues to blow me away every time I visit. I regularly pop in during the week at different times and the care is consistent and personal. From the moment you walk through the door you know the residents are treated like
individuals. The range of activities and facilities are second to none.
This week when I visited, I found Grandma sat in the cinema room watching a film, chatting to a member of the entertainment staff. As I sat there for an hour (eating cake and drinking coffee) I witnessed the care given to everyone. The tenderness and time that was given to each person was incredible and reassuring. It is never an easy decision to make, however knowing Grandma is not only safe, she is pampered, her personality and wishes are respected, she has her dignity back and quite frankly is thriving. It is wonderful to see Grandma living her life to the fullest in her twilight years in such a loving environment.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from M P (Resident) published on 9 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot fault anything about my stay at Harrier Lodge.
The food and care were first class. The room and the lounges were so comfortable. I had a really lovely stay due, as well, to the super staff.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Patricia J (Sister of Resident) published on 7 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I found everything and everyone in Harrier Lodge extremely friendly and helpful. The premises are wonderfully bright and clean.
The atmosphere is exceptionally bright and cheerful. All the care and attention was also extended to all family and friends visiting.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Dawn Q (Daughter of Resident) published on 2 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My father has been extremely happy, well cared for and entertained.
He was fed well, always smiling and family that visited while he stayed were very content with his wellbeing. In fact, he wanted to stay longer. He had dementia and he seems to have improved.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Cyril W (Relative of Resident) published on 15 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Harrier Lodge is like home from home. It's more like a 5-star hotel than a care home. From the moment you enter, you are greeted by the friendly staff and made to feel welcome.
The café on the ground floor is a welcome sight with a coffee machine and the cakes are to die for. The place is clean, the
staff are friendly. What more could you ask for? 5*
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from Jan A (Next of Kin) published on 10 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are very happy that our next of kin is at Harrier Lodge, the staff (all) are wonderful in the way they look after her and she is very happy and contented. So that makes us also very happy.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Review from W V (Niece of Resident) published on 10 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very pleasant experience for both aunty and the family. Very good atmosphere in the home. All staff are friendly and caring. There appears to be plenty of activities and I know aunty particularly enjoys the cinema and her walks round the gardens.
Her room is very pleasant and housekeeping is very good.
I feel very comfortable knowing that she is at Harrier Lodge.
  • Facilities
  • Care / Support
  • Cleanliness
  • Treated with Dignity
  • Food & Drink
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • Management
  • Safety / Security
  • Rooms
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 9.5 (9.455)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.5 (9.455) out of 10 for Harrier Lodge is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 13 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. 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:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.732 for Harrier Lodge is calculated as follows: ( (132 Excellents x 5) + (6 Goods x 4) + (5 Satisfactorys x 3) + (6 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 149 Ratings = 4.732
  2. 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 4.723 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Harrier Lodge 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:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 3.8
    2. 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 65 registered maximum number of service users is 13. 12 Positive Reviews ÷ 13 = 0.923
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. 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 2025

Overall Inadequate

  • Caring Requires improvement
  • Effective Requires improvement
  • Responsive Requires improvement
  • Safe Inadequate
  • Well-led Inadequate
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

Awards / Recognitions (109)

Meet the Team (1)

Susan

Susan Simmonds

Job Title: Home Manager

The team and I consider it a huge privilege to care for older people and are proud that their families trust us to care for them. 


This is a lovely friendly and happy home, with a great family atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming you here soon. 

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Harrier Lodge to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Harrier Lodge has an Enhanced Service - more info.