
I have learned to enjoy this home as my calm, happy home and building on things learnt and plannedMargaret W(Resident / Service User)

The attention to detail and accommodation of food preferences are second to none.Sam L(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

They are so kind, caring, super efficient and a very happy passionate teamRosemary M(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

I have learned to enjoy this home as my calm, happy home and building on things learnt and plannedMargaret W(Resident / Service User)

The attention to detail and accommodation of food preferences are second to none.Sam L(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

They are so kind, caring, super efficient and a very happy passionate teamRosemary M(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Barchester Iris Court in Hitchin supports older people that require additional care and support in a stunning environment with breath-taking views of the surrounding countryside. Purpose built and opened in Spring 2024, this beautiful home provides care based on individual needs ensuring that care plans are crafted with input from the resident and their family.
Iris Court also provides specialist dementia care within their Memory Lane community for older people...
Care Provided by Barchester Iris Court
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 60 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
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Convalescent Care
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- 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
Weekly Charges per Person
This Weekly Fee rate is an indication only of a typical standard fee rate for a resident living in a standard, comfortable room. A final Weekly Fee rate will be confirmed once we have carried out a pre-admission needs assessment.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Barchester Iris Court for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Barchester Iris Court 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
- Barchester Healthcare Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Katy Hughes (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 60+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 2024
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (56)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (2)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (56)
- Couples/Companion Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (2)
Barchester Iris Court Reviews (32)
Barchester Iris Court has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.634) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Barchester Iris Court has 32 reviews.
Beautiful location, very restful and peaceful with first-class facilities. Staff are all very friendly and various activities to do.
Thank you very much for your lovely comment, the team at Iris Court will be delighted to hear your feedback.
The first impression is of warm, pleasant atmosphere. Staff are very able and there is a constant buzz of happy movement and plenty of sport, in a chair as well. Altogether, a pretty swimmingly, active, pleasant place, super garden, of course, very accessible - with rooms garden doors.
Thank you for this lovely review, we are very proud of our home and the wonderful staff within it.
Early days and a great start to my mum's stay. Everyone is very kind and Mim is enjoying the food. Beautiful accommodation too.
Thank you for your comment. The team at Iris Court will be delighted to hear your feedback!
As the resident's friend, I couldn't be more pleased to see my friend so happy and relaxed and putting on weight! Thank you so much. My friend regards the staff as her friends.
Thank you for brightening our day with your kind review! Our team is passionate about making a difference in the lives of our residents!
From the first time I visited Barchester Iris Court, along with other members of our family when we were considering various options, it was immediately clear that this care home would be perfect for my mum to move into and reside there in comfort and peace. Once I and the family had shown Mum the details of Iris Court (including numerous photographs of the general and specific facilities on offer), she was very enthusiastic about going there and taking up residence. And it wasn't long after moving in that Mum stated that 'here was her new home' as she had immediately taken to the members of staff who, without exception, welcomed her into 'their home'. In visiting to see Mum over her time at her new home, I and the family, together with her friends, have seen a remarkable improvement in her health, well-being and general demeanour. Long may it continue and many thanks to all the extremely friendly and considerate staff at Iris Court for making Mum and I so welcome. Utterly amazing all round!
Thank you for your lovely comment, it is appreciated. The team at Iris Court are delighted to have your mum stay with us. These kind words will be relayed to the team.
Highly recommended if you are looking for a home-from-home setting for a loved one.
Thank you for taking time to review our Iris Court care home and for your amazing 5- star rating. We are delighted with how satisfied you are with our home and the exceptional level of care provided by our dedicated staff team. Your review is truly invaluable to us, I will be sure to pass your kind comments on to the rest of the staff team.
I visited my friend in this home recently and was amazed by the facilities. The home is nestled in a quiet area, away from the hustle and bustle of the traffic. Staff are very caring and helpful. Excellent food service for the residents. Rooms are very clean, spacious and value for money. Garden and outside areas are spacious and safer for the elderly with lots of sunny areas. Plenty of activities for the residents and visiting family and friends. Overall very good home and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a safe short-term or residential stay.
Thank you very much for taking the time to send us this lovely review, it is appreciated.
Lots to do for my mum. Good food. Nice to go and visit, always made to feel welcome.
Thank you for your lovely comment. The team at Iris Court will be delighted to hear your feedback!
I visited my aunt today, the staff were extremely welcoming, I was offered cake and coffee on arrival. The home is immaculate and is more like a five-star hotel. My aunt is very happy and says all of the staff are very helpful and that the meals are lovely, she said that she never wants to leave. This has made a distressing time more bearable for myself and my family. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Providing exceptional care and support to our residents is our top priority.
Simply put, Iris Court is a superb new care home. My Mum needs more care than is possible at her home. Until now she has had no desire to move to a care home but after less than two weeks in Iris Court, she surprised me by saying that this is now my home and her house should be sold! This is all due to the exceptional care provided by absolutely everyone at Iris Court, the quality of the accommodation, the first-class meals and the utterly relaxing environment for residents and visitors. The whole team make everyone feel so welcome; it makes us feel like we are joining a large family and totally happy that Mum is enjoying the best of care. It is as good for me and my family as it is for Mum, something I had not expected. Brilliant!
Thank you for your lovely comment; it is appreciated. The team at Iris Court are delighted to have your mum stay with us.
I came to Iris Court today to cut a friend's hair as her personal hairdresser. I was treated so well I was offered tea, coffee and cake. The staff are lovely and very attentive. I am looking forward to coming back again soon. My friend is really happy and settling in well.
Thank you very much for taking the time to send us this lovely review, it is appreciated. Have a lovely day!
A wonderful new care home. The staff cannot do enough for my mum. She has gone in for respite care and has today decided that she does not want to leave. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff and the difference in mum in two weeks is amazing.
Thank you for your positive comment. These kind words will be relayed to the team to keep up the outstanding care we deliver.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (118) & Events (2)
- 11 Aug 2026
Cheese, Wine & Quiz Night was a great success on Saturday 8th August 2026. Everyone said that they had a wonderful time and so we will be arranging our next...
- 07 Aug 2026
Please join us for our Fish and Chip club, on the first Friday of every month! Please book by giving us a call. Completely free!
- 24 Jul 2026
A huge thank you to The Priory School for welcoming our residents to their Jive and Jazz event! The activities were great, and residents said how lovely it was to...
- 25 Sep 2026Organiser: Barchester Iris Court
- 17 Oct 2026Organiser: Barchester Iris Court
Awards / Recognitions (16)
- 09 Jun 2026Recipient: Barchester Healthcare Ltd
- 09 Jun 2026Recipient: Barchester Healthcare Ltd
- 15 Apr 2026Recipient: Barchester Healthcare Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Barchester Iris Court.
Meet the Team (9)

I have worked in the care sector since 1997 and have worked in care home management since 2001. I am very proud to have managed a home that has achieved an outstanding rating by CQC and won the National Care Home of the Year Award. I have won a Suffolk Inspirational Leadership Award, which meant such a lot to me as I was nominated by the team.
I have a husband, a daughter, two dogs and a cat, and my family is very important to me. I am here at Iris Court to support everyone, so please feel free to speak to me at any time. My door is always open.

Hello, I'm Sneha Harish, and I'm very happy to be working at Iris Court as the Deputy Manager.
I have been part of the home since the very beginning, where I started as a carer, progressing into a senior role and now my current role of Deputy Manager. Every stage of the journey has meant a lot to me, but what I love the is simply spending time with our residents.
I was brought up by my grandparents, and because of that, I see a little of each of them in each resident I care for. It makes the work I do feel very personal and very special.
Education has been an important part of my journey. I've completed a Master's in Accounting and Finance, a Bachelor's in Commerce and a Level 3 in Health and Social Care. Right now, I am working towards my Level 5 in Leadership and Management to continue building my skillset.
Outside of work, I love to dance. I have been trained in Indian and classical dance, which brings me so much joy. Whilst at Iris Court, my doors are always open and I always welcome our families or friends to pop in for a chat and to say hello.
I look very much forward to the future with Iris Court continuing to see what amazing things we can achieve and celebrate as a home.

Hello, my name is Cassie,
I am thrilled to be part of the team at Iris Court, I have worked in the care industry for the last four years and love getting to making lasting bonds with our new residents and family members.
My role as the Homes Services Advisor means I am one of the first points of contact if you are searching for care for your loved one, and I guide you through the process up to move-in day, but from here you can always find me to answer any queries or helping your loved one to settle.
Outside of work, I am self-confessed gym lover! I enjoy spending as much spare time as I can with my family and friends. I also love travelling and exploring different parts of the world and pride myself on working in France and Spain.

Hello, I'm Gemma, and I'm thrilled to be part of the team at Iris Court as the Head Chef.
I have a wealth of culinary experience across the Care Sector, Restaurants, and Pubs, and I always bring a passion for crafting delightful meals and fostering a warm, inviting atmosphere.
When I can get out of the kitchen, I love spending time with our residents here at Iris Court, making them feel special!
My journey began at catering college, where I earned my NVQ while honing my skills in a nursing home setting. Through an enriching apprenticeship, I immersed myself in competitions, even catching the eye of culinary legend Michael Roux, who graciously endorsed my talents!.
Outside of work, I love being spontaneous and finding a new coast to visit!, spending time with my family & friends, and with my adventurous spirit, I dream of owning a food truck someday!

Hello, I'm Trudi, and I'm honoured to serve as the Home Administrator at Iris Court. While I'm new to Barchester, my journey in the realm of care has been a rich tapestry of experiences. Previously, I've dedicated myself as a Senior Care Assistant in a Dementia Unit and as an Administrator in Mental Health Nursing Homes, equipping me with a deep understanding of the needs and nuances of compassionate care.
Outside of work, my heart belongs to my cherished family. With 35 years of marriage under my belt, my husband and I are proud parents to two wonderful daughters and doting grandparents to two grandchildren. Family gatherings are a cornerstone of my life; I find immense joy in connecting with my siblings, nieces, nephews, and their growing families.
In my downtime, you'll often find me exploring new destinations, lost in the pages of a captivating book, or immersed in the melodies of my favourite music. Above all, I treasure moments spent socialising with loved ones, cherishing each precious memory created. I'm excited to bring my passion for care and my love for building meaningful connections to the warm embrace of Iris Court.

Greetings! I'm Jijo, originally from India and currently proud to call Luton my home. With three years of dedicated service in the care sector, I bring a unique blend of skills and passion as a Senior carer at Iris Court.
My journey into caregiving might seem unconventional, considering my background in business and programming, culminating in a master's degree with distinction from the University of Bedfordshire. However, my heart led me to embrace the care sector wholeheartedly. For me, it's not just a job; it's an opportunity to extend a helping hand to those in need, particularly the vulnerable amongst us.
As a tech-savvy individual, I appreciate the role technology plays in enhancing the quality of care we provide. Outside of work, you'll often find me indulging in my greatest passion: travelling. Exploring new cultures and landscapes fuels my sense of curiosity and adventure. Yet, amidst all the excitement, nothing compares to the warmth of spending quality time with my cherished family and friends.

Hello, I'm Natalie, and for nearly five enriching years, I've dedicated myself to the role of an activity coordinator. My passion lies in understanding the unique interests of each individual under our care. At Iris Court, I strive to craft activities tailored to the preferences of our residents, ensuring no one ever feels socially isolated. Whether someone wants to participate minimally or fully immerse themselves, my goal remains constant: fostering a sense of community and joy in every moment.
Join me as we embark on this journey of connection, laughter, and shared experiences. Together, let's create cherished memories that will illuminate the path ahead. Welcome to Iris Court, where every day holds the promise of something special.

Hello! I'm Csaba, Head of Maintenance at Iris Court. With a tenure at Barchester Healthcare since 2021, I bring a wealth of experience to my role. Before joining the care sector, I spent many years as a maintenance manager for retail establishments and office blocks.
Transitioning into the care sector was a deliberate choice driven by my desire to work directly with people. Every day, I find immense satisfaction in knowing that I can make a tangible difference to both my colleagues and our residents. It's the personal connections and the impact on their quality of life that truly drive me.
In my role, I strive to ensure that every corner of Iris Court is not just functional but also safe and comfortable for everyone who calls it home. Whether it's fixing a leaky tap or ensuring the heating system runs smoothly, I take pride in my work, knowing that it contributes to the well-being of our residents.
I find the work incredibly rewarding, and seeing the smiles on residents' faces makes all the hard work absolutely worthwhile.

Hi im Donna, my passion lies in providing person-centred care, ensuring each individual's unique needs are met with empathy and understanding. I find immense fulfilment in accompanying others on their journey through their later years, cherishing every story and memory shared with me.
Recently, I achieved my NVQ Level 3 in adult social care, further enhancing my knowledge and skills to better serve our residents. Beyond the rewarding realm of caregiving, I find solace in the simple joys of life. Whether it's strolling along the seaside with my loyal companion or indulging in the tranquillity of assembling jigsaw puzzles, I relish every moment spent unwinding. Oh, and you might catch me enthusiastically tuning into daytime television, particularly captivated by the heart-warming tales of restoration on "The Repair Shop."
I'm thrilled to be part of the Barchester family, dedicated to enriching the lives of those we care for with warmth, respect, and dignity.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Barchester Iris Court to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Barchester Iris Court has an Enhanced Service -more info.