Watlington and District Nursing Home in Oxfordshire

Our nursing home is set in a picturesque spot of Watlington, a beautiful market town in South Oxfordshire. With stunning views of the Chiltern Hills, you will often find us admiring the breath-taking sight of red kites flying overhead. Swooping from the large trees in our magnificent gardens, they really are an added extra for residents to enjoy.

Along with our quiet rural location, which is on the doorstep of Watlington’s GP surgery, we are extremely proud of the look and feel of the nursing home. The beautiful orangery is one of the most impressive parts of Watlington. This large, bright and airy spot is a wonderful place for residents and loved ones to admire the gardens and large water feature, the sound of which is therapeutic and calming.

Rated Outstanding by CQC

The team and our residents are enormously proud of the recent 'Outstanding' rating in our Care Quality Commission (CQC) report - the highest possible rating from the care sector watchdog.

Throughout the report we were commended for our person-centred approach to nursing care, dementia and palliative care, ensuring our residents are valued as unique individuals. We work tirelessly to create an inclusive culture within our home and are over the moon for this to be officially recognised. Watlington is a nursing home on paper but to us, it’s our residents’ home. One of the many glowing comments in the report includes: “I am in awe of the kindness and friendliness of the staff. Nothing is too much trouble". Another highlight was the praise for the home’s caring and dedicated team and manager of 15 years Julie Cooper, who was described as being a “driving force to all staff which demonstrates how they are happy to go beyond the call of duty.”

We make the very most of the South Oxfordshire community, with our very own minibus and designated driver. One of our residents’ favourite places to visit is the Age Concern café on Watlington's High Street, which serves the most amazing hot chocolate. Some of our residents have even been to Buckingham Palace in the minibus!

But nowhere is quite like home, especially with such stunning grounds. With raised flower beds, seasonal planting, a water feature, peaceful walk-ways, relaxed seating areas and a large lawn, they are a real focal point for our garden parties.

Enriching lives

Adapting their support to meet the needs of every single resident, the team at Watlington enrich their lives in every way possible. For our residents living with dementia, you will often find us playing songs from decades gone by on the keyboard and having a good old sing along. Often, we will choose songs from weddings and special family occasions to bring back happy memories.

Nothing is too much trouble and we care for our residents as if they were part of our own family. And for some members of the team, the home is like a second family. One of our much-loved nurses Louie, who relocated all the way from the Philippines to Watlington, highlights the devotion of staff to the residents:

“One memory that has really touched me since working for Watlington and District Nursing Home is the time I spent with a resident who was 101 years old at the time. One night she felt very ill and could barely speak. I stayed with her the whole night as she was getting scared. When she recovered she said that the simple act of not leaving her side meant a lot. She felt cared for, loved and it was the nicest feeling to know that I was there for her.”