9.8 out of 10
Independently verified family reviews on carehome.co.uk
Award-Winning Home
Essex County Council Prosper Award and Maldon in Bloom Gold 2025
Family First
Everything we do is about you and your loved ones
Take a look around The Lodge. A short video introduction to our home, our gardens, and the people who make the Lodge feel like home.
What Makes The Lodge Different
There are plenty of care homes in Essex. Many are bigger, newer, and purpose-built. The Lodge is none of those things, and that's exactly it. We're a small, listed home with nearly 200 years of character, award-winning gardens, and a care team that genuinely knows every person who lives here. Here's what that looks like:
A Home With a Wealth of History
The Lodge is a Grade II listed building dating back to the 1800s. It has high ceilings, period proportions and the warmth of a proper home, because that's what it was built to be.
With 17 private rooms and a small number of companion rooms, it's home to just 25 residents. The atmosphere is closer to a large family home
Gold Award-Winning Gardens
In 2025, our gardens received the Maldon in Bloom Gold Award. Residents tend raised flower beds, a large vegetable patch and the beautiful fruit trees.
There's outdoor seating with views over the Essex countryside, and in the warmer months, the gardens host tea parties, family gatherings and community events. For many families, seeing the gardens for the first time is the moment they know this is the place for them.
Small Enough to Know Everyone
With just 25 residents, our care team knows every person here: their preferences, their routines, their families, and what makes a good day. That level of familiarity is something larger homes, however well-run, find hard to match. It's the advantage of being deliberately small.
Our home manager, Clare Hatcher, was Highly Commended for Outstanding Leadership at the Essex Prosper Awards in 2025. Clare knows every resident personally and sets the tone for the whole team.
Clear Honest Pricing
We know that cost matters, and we believe that families deserve to know exactly what they're paying for. At The Lodge, your weekly fee covers everything. There are no hidden extras and no surprise charges.
Private Rooms
From £1,250 per week, all-inclusive
A private, furnished room in a beautiful, listed building, with the option to bring personal belongings and furniture to make it your own. Some rooms include en-suite facilities.
Looking for short term respite care?
Everything Included
Whether private or companion room, your weekly fee covers:
- Home-cooked meals, snacks and drinks
- A full daily activities programme
- Personalised care tailored to individual needs
- Dementia care at no additional cost
- Wi-Fi for residents and visitors
- Netflix and Amazon Prime Video streaming
- Full housekeeping, laundry and maintenance
Talk to us about costs and funding: 01621 398 582
Life at The Lodge
Every Day Has Something Worth Getting Up For
Life here is built around what residents actually enjoy. Our activities programme runs every day, but nothing is compulsory. Some residents love the gardening. Others prefer the quiz afternoons or music sessions. Some just want a quiet cup of tea in the garden with a visitor. That's fine too.
Award-Winning Gardens
The gardens are the heart of The Lodge, and in 2025 they were recognised with the Maldon in Bloom Gold Award. Residents grow flowers, fruit and vegetables in our raised beds and vegetable patch. In the warmer months, the garden is where everything happens: tea parties, family barbecues, afternoon sunshine with countryside views.
Activities & Entertainment
Board games, arts and crafts, gentle exercise classes, our interactive projector for group games and reminiscence therapy, baking in the kitchen, and regular outings into Maldon town. The programme changes week to week based on what people fancy.
Family & Community
Families are welcome any time. There are no restricted visiting hours. We host seasonal celebrations, open days and regular events that bring residents, families and the wider Maldon community together. The Lodge is very much part of the town, not cut off from it.
Reviews for The Lodge Care Home
Here's a selection of independently collected and verified reviews from Carehome.co.uk:
See The Lodge For Yourself
A listed building with nearly 200 years of character. Award-winning gardens. A home that feels like a home. Here's a glimpse of life at The Lodge.
Recognised for Exceptional Care
The Lodge has been recognised twice by independent bodies for the quality of what we do. In 2023, we received the Prosper Achievement Award from Essex County Council for our standards of care. In 2025, our gardens won the Maldon in Bloom Gold Award, recognising the outdoor environment our residents, families and team have created together.
Our home manager, Clare Hatcher, was Highly Commended for Outstanding Leadership at the Essex Prosper Awards in 2025. It's recognition that reflects something families see every day at The Lodge: a home that's led with genuine care, not just managed. Clare knows every resident personally and sets the standard for the whole team.
When we say The Lodge feels like a family, it starts with her. Read our case studies to see the difference we make
Our 9.8 out of 10 review score on carehome.co.uk, collected independently from families and visitors, backs up what those awards reflect.
But the feedback that means the most to us comes from the families who visit every week and tell us their mum or dad is happier than they've been in years. That's what we're here for.
Where to Find Us
The Lodge Care Home is in Maldon, a historic riverside town in the heart of Essex. We're well-connected by road, with free on-site parking for every visit.
- Witham: approximately 15 minutes
- Chelmsford: approximately 20 minutes
- Braintree: approximately 25 minutes
- Colchester: approximately 35 minutes
- Southend: approximately 40 minutes
The Lodge, Lodge Road, Dykes Chase, Maldon, Essex CM9 6HW
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of care do you provide?
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Residential care and dementia care, with personalised support built around each individual. Our team provides 24-hour care. We also offer short-term respite stays from a minimum of two weeks. We can also provide Respite Care
What is the building like?
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The Lodge is a Grade II listed building dating back to the 1800s, set in its own grounds with award-winning gardens. It has the proportions and character of a proper home: high ceilings, period features, and a genuine sense of warmth. It's not a purpose-built facility.
How many residents live here?
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Just 25. We have 17 private rooms and a small number of companion rooms. We're deliberately small because we believe the best care happens when the team genuinely knows every resident.
How much does it cost?
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Private rooms start from £1,250 per week, all-inclusive. Companion rooms are available from £950 per week for couples or those who prefer shared living. Everything is included: meals, activities, laundry, dementia care, Wi-Fi and streaming. No hidden extras.
Do you charge extra for dementia care?
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No. Dementia care is included in the standard weekly fee. We don't believe families should face additional charges at what is already a difficult time.
Can I visit before deciding?
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Please do. We always encourage families to come and spend time with us. Walk around the house and gardens, meet the team, sit down for a cup of tea. You'll get a feel for the place very quickly. Call 01621 398 582 to arrange a time.
What's included in the fee?
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Everything. Home-cooked meals and snacks, a full activities programme, personalised daily care, Wi-Fi, Netflix and Amazon Prime, housekeeping, laundry and maintenance. The only extras would be personal items like hairdressing, chiropody or specific toiletries.
What are visiting hours?
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There aren't any fixed hours. Family and friends are welcome throughout the day, and we can make special arrangements if needed.
What activities are available?
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The programme includes arts and crafts, music sessions, gentle exercise, quizzes, baking, gardening, interactive games using our smart projector, and outings into Maldon. Everything is optional and shaped by what residents enjoy.
Do residents have their own rooms?
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Yes. Every private room is furnished, and residents are welcome to bring personal belongings and small furniture. Some rooms have en-suite facilities. Companion rooms are available for couples who wish to stay together.
How do you support people with dementia?
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Our care team is trained in person-centred dementia support. The home is designed to be calm, easy to navigate and reassuring, with structured routines and familiar spaces. We get to know each resident as an individual and adapt our care as their needs change.
Can I arrange a respite stay?
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Yes. We offer short-term stays from a minimum of two weeks, subject to availability. It's a great way to experience life at The Lodge before making a longer-term decision. Call 01621 398 582 to and we can check availability for you.
Where is The Lodge?
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We're in Maldon, a historic riverside town in central Essex. Chelmsford is about 20 minutes by car, Witham is 15 minutes, Colchester around 35 minutes, and Southend approximately 40 minutes. Free on-site parking.
Who Runs The Lodge?
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Our home manager is Clare Hatcher, who was Highly Commended for Outstanding Leadership at the Essex Prosper Awards in 2025. Clare knows every resident personally and is usually the person who'll show you around when you visit. SDM Care Homes Ltd is the registered care provider, with Sharon Bales as the Nominated Individual.