Bath’s newest care home is taking shape, with a construction milestone marked by developers at the site in Oldfield Lane in Oldfield Park.
James Taylor, Rob Cruikshank, Michael Coggin, Jason Swithenbank, Michael Ritchie and Jeremy Hutchinson | Photo © Barchester Healthcare
The topping-out stage marks the completion of the latest phase of the construction of the 68-bed project.
The new home, officially named Darcy Gardens Care Home, has been built by Lawrence Baker, and is owned and operated by Barchester Healthcare.
The home will provide personalised residential, dementia and respite care for older people in Bath and the surrounding areas. The first residents will be able to move in in spring 2026.
The new home has a café for residents to socialise, spa bathrooms for a luxury bath time experience, en-suite bedrooms with smart TVs, a choice of lounges, a cinema room plus a hair and beauty salon.
Once open, the home will provide a dedicated Life Enrichment programme which includes a choice of daily activities so that residents can continue to do the things they love, try something new and above all keep the enjoyment in every day.
Barchester Healthcare says it strives to deliver the highest quality of personalised care, with all staff trained in dementia care.
How the new care home will look | Image © Barchester Healthcare
The home will have a dedicated Memory Lane community which is designed to provide the best sensory environment for those living with dementia, and easy for residents to navigate.
The Memory Lane community will include a life-skills kitchen to help maintain a level of independence in carrying out daily activities, such as setting the table.
Barchester Healthcare’s Managing Director for the Central Division, Angela Bradford, said: “Topping out brings us a step closer to the day we welcome residents to our new care home in Bath.
“Not only will our prospective residents have a home set in beautiful grounds, the new home will also offer a range of job prospects boosting employment in the neighbouring communities.
“We look forward to showcasing our home to the local community when our Marketing Suite opens early next year for anyone who might have questions about care.”
Lawrence Baker’s Director, Wayne Lester, commented: “We are delighted to reach such a significant stage in the build process for our valued client, Barchester Healthcare.
“We look forward to handing over the Marketing Suite early next year, which will showcase this first class facility. The care home will be completed this Winter ready to welcome its new residents in the Spring.”
Michael Coggin, Senior Property Development Manager for Barchester, added: “Lawrence Baker are trusted partners and we are delighted with the progress made on this project.
“Each new build uses a bespoke Barchester Healthcare design that incorporates learnings from previous homes we’ve constructed.
“This ensures each of our homes is not only safe, comfortable and welcoming, but luxurious, spacious and thoughtful.
“The home’s design will not only allow our staff to provide the best level of care for the residents who live there, but also ensure the residents are able to live dignified lives in surroundings that allow them to be as independent as they choose to be.”
