If you are looking for a care home in or around Alresford for yourself or someone close to you, The Dower House offers a welcoming and peaceful option near Winchester.
Established in 1989, we provide residential and nursing care within a comfortable, homely setting in Headbourne Worthy, approximately 15 minutes from Alresford by car. Residents can join us for long-term care or a short stay, with experienced nursing support available for those with more complex needs.
Choosing a care home is a significant decision, and being within comfortable reach of family and friends can make an important difference.
The Dower House is situated in Headbourne Worthy, on the northern outskirts of Winchester. For families based in Alresford and the surrounding villages, this provides an alternative to care within the town itself while allowing loved ones to remain in the Winchester area.
Our setting also offers something quite different. The home sits within five and a half acres of landscaped gardens, providing residents with plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh air, peaceful surroundings and time outdoors.
You are very welcome to visit before making any decisions. Seeing the home, meeting our team and talking through your circumstances can often make it much easier to understand whether The Dower House feels right for you or your loved one.
Everyone arrives at The Dower House with different needs and circumstances. Our team takes the time to understand the individual, providing personalised support while helping residents retain as much choice and independence as possible.
A short stay can provide valuable support following illness, an operation or hospital discharge, or when a family member or usual carer needs to take a break.
Short-stay residents have comfortable, fully furnished accommodation and access to the same care, dining, activities and facilities as permanent residents. Registered nurses are available 24 hours a day, with no minimum length of stay, subject to availability.
Following an operation or hospital stay, some people need additional time and support before they feel ready to return home.
A rehabilitation stay at The Dower House provides a comfortable place to rest and recover, with personalised care and experienced nursing support available 24 hours a day. Physiotherapy can also be arranged at an additional cost where appropriate.
The aim is to support each person’s recovery at their own pace, helping them regain confidence and independence before returning home.
Moving into a care home permanently is a major change, so we want residents to feel that The Dower House is genuinely their home.
Long-stay residents are encouraged to personalise their rooms with their own furniture, photographs and belongings. Our team gets to know each resident as an individual, including their routines, interests and preferences.
The aim is to provide the right level of support while enabling residents to continue living life in the way that suits them.
For residents who require ongoing nursing support, our experienced nursing and care team is available around the clock.
We maintain a high ratio of nursing and care staff to residents, helping us provide attentive, personalised care. Our low staff turnover also means residents are cared for by familiar faces, supporting continuity and helping trusting relationships to develop over time.
Our palliative care focuses on comfort, dignity and quality of life for people living with a life-limiting illness.
Care is tailored to the individual and may include support with pain and other symptoms alongside emotional, psychological and spiritual needs where appropriate.
We understand that this can be an especially difficult time for families. Our team provides calm, compassionate support while respecting the wishes and dignity of each resident.
For families looking specifically for respite care near Alresford, flexibility can be particularly important. Care may be needed unexpectedly following a hospital stay or a change in circumstances, while in other cases families are able to plan ahead.
We offer both planned and urgent admissions, subject to an assessment of care needs and room availability.
Before admission, our Matron will usually carry out an assessment so that we can understand the level of support required. This can take place at The Dower House or, where appropriate, at home or in hospital.
We will then discuss suitable rooms, care requirements, costs and timings clearly with you before the stay begins.
Once at The Dower House, short-stay residents can choose how they spend their time. They are welcome to take part in our activities, outings and events, enjoy freshly prepared meals, spend time in the gardens or simply relax and recover at their own pace.
The Dower House was established in 1989 with the belief that good care should support the whole person, rather than simply meet their medical needs.
That principle continues today.
Our home has a relaxed, country-house character, with comfortable communal areas, individual bedrooms and extensive landscaped gardens. Residents are encouraged to maintain their independence, interests and relationships, with support available whenever it is needed.
Continuity of care is particularly important to us. Many members of our team have been with The Dower House for several years, meaning residents can become familiar with the people supporting them rather than continually seeing new faces.
Life here can be as sociable or as quiet as each resident wishes. There are regular activities and events, opportunities to spend time outdoors and plenty of quieter spaces for residents who prefer their own company.
The Dower House is located on Springvale Road in Headbourne Worthy, on the northern side of Winchester.
From Alresford, The Dower House is approximately 8 miles away by road. The journey usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes by car, depending on your starting point, traffic and route. The most direct route generally follows the A31 towards Winchester before continuing to Headbourne Worthy.
This relatively short journey makes it convenient for family and friends in Alresford to visit regularly, while still offering the peaceful surroundings of a care home outside the town itself. We recommend checking the route and current journey time before travelling, particularly during busy periods.
This location means families searching for care around Alresford can consider a home outside the town while keeping their loved one within the wider Winchester area.
There are no set visiting hours at The Dower House, so family and friends can visit at times that work for them and the resident.
Photo: © Des Blenkinsopp, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph.
Is The Dower House located in Alresford?
No. The Dower House is in Headbourne Worthy, on the outskirts of Winchester. We welcome residents from Alresford and other communities across the surrounding area.
How far is The Dower House from Alresford?
The Dower House is approximately 8 miles from Alresford by road. The journey usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic, your exact starting point and the route taken.
What is the best route from Alresford to The Dower House?
The most direct route generally follows the A31 towards Winchester before continuing to Headbourne Worthy. As journey conditions can vary, we recommend checking a live route planner before setting off.
What types of care do you provide?
We provide long-stay residential care, short-stay and respite care, nursing care, and palliative and end of life care. The right option will depend on the individual’s circumstances and care needs, which we can discuss with you before admission.
Do you offer respite care for people from Alresford?
Yes. Our short-stay accommodation is available to residents from Alresford and the surrounding area, subject to assessment and availability. Stays can be useful following illness or surgery, when a usual carer is unavailable or whenever a temporary period of additional support would be helpful.
Is there a minimum stay for respite care?
There is no minimum length of stay, subject to availability. We understand that circumstances vary considerably, so our team can discuss the most appropriate arrangements with you.
Can you arrange care at short notice?
In some circumstances, yes. We regularly support people who need care following illness, a hospital stay or an unexpected change in circumstances. Availability and the individual’s care needs will need to be assessed first, but we will make the process as clear and straightforward as possible.
Can we visit before deciding?
Of course. We encourage prospective residents and their families to visit The Dower House, meet the team and spend some time looking around. There is no obligation to make a decision during your visit.
Choosing care is a personal decision, and there is no substitute for visiting a home and experiencing it for yourself.
If you are considering residential, nursing or respite care near Alresford, we would be delighted to welcome you to The Dower House. You can meet our team, explore the home and gardens, and talk through your circumstances and any questions you may have.