We care about living life.
Somerleigh Court Retirement Village
Somerleigh Court Retirement Village redefines the aging experience by offering a comprehensive and flexible approach to senior living. With an emphasis on wellness, and a supportive community environment, the retirement provides a blueprint on how to maintain a fulfilling lifestyle. Somerleigh Court stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of senior living, prioritising the dignity, autonomy, and well-being of individuals as they navigate the later stages of life. Our team are here to offer a lending hand every step of the way.
Set within the Roman walls of Dorchester, in the tranquillity of landscaped gardens, Somerleigh Court is a unique retirement community created for independent living and is located just a short stroll from the town’s quaint shops, cafes and museums. This family-owned community is positioned right on the doorstep of the charming Borough Gardens, a beautiful 19th century park laid out to the design of William Goldring.
Somerleigh Court comprises 68 one- and two-bedroom apartments and boasts award-winning healthcare services – including an on-site nursing home and specialist dementia unit. The award-winning retirement community offers retirees a fully independent lifestyle, but with the reassurance of care, should it be needed.
Step inside the world of Somerleigh Court, and redefine retirement.
Amenities at Somerleigh Court
Amenities & Socialising
Residents can socialise in the lounge and dining area, with a range of events from coffee mornings to wine tastings. Exercise classes are also available. As well as the apartments’ private gardens, there is a communal garden overlooked by the garden room. Apartments are supported by housekeeping services. At Somerleigh Court retirement village, the following support services come as standard; laundry, maintenance support and domiciliary care, allowing residents to relish a more active lifestyle with fewer chores.
The facilities at Somerleigh Court Retirement Village are for the exclusive use of residents and their guests, with the indoor spaces all designed to be comfortable and relaxing places to socialise. The communal gardens ensure there is plenty of space for outdoor living, and there is a guest apartment that sleeps four, allowing plenty of room for friends and family should they need to stay over.
‘Community’ and ‘togetherness’ are at the cornerstone of every part of Somerleigh Court and great lengths have gone in to making sure socialising is made as easy as possible. Residents can be involved as much (or as little) as they would like. The choice is theirs.
Activities & Wellness
There is a wide variety of activities provided at Someleigh Court. As well as excursions to local attractions and the countryside and coast, there are arts and crafts sessions, coffee mornings, mix and mingle events and live musical performances. Other events and activities include murder mystery evenings, attendance by Duke’s Fine Art Auctioneers to showcase an Antiques Roadshow event, poetry afternoons and culinary celebrations and classes. Services available include cleaning of residents’ apartments, laundry, meals that can be delivered to apartments or eaten in the lounge diner, and extra personal care.
Recognising the importance of nutritional wellbeing, the team at Somerleigh Court Retirement Village pride themselves on providing fresh, hearty meals to residents. The chef and the team work with local, seasonal ingredients to produce nutritious, comforting meals served in the lounge diner. From traditional British classics including fish and chips and Sunday roasts to lighter bites, there is something to satisfy everyone. The team go to great lengths to source produce from local suppliers, making sure to give back to the community and support small businesses in the area. Residents can entertain guests over lunch, or if they choose, they can have meals delivered to their apartments.
Apartments
There are 68 generously sized one and two-bed apartments, which are specifically designed for the needs of our residents. The reception rooms are light and airy and perfect for entertaining family and friends. The variety of layouts and size offers great choice of either overlooking the gardens or offering views of picturesque Dorchester. All apartments are served by lifts and benefit from free parking. Our team is always on hand to help with maintenance, housekeeping and even shopping. There is also on-site security and a 24-hour emergency call facility in every apartment.
Location
Located in the heart of Dorchester, Somerleigh Court Retirement Village is perfectly located to offer both the peaceful attributes of the Dorset countryside, and the hustle and bustle of the town centre. The weekly market, cafés, museums, supermarkets, larger chains stores and a four-screen Plaza Cinema are right on the doorstep. Somerleigh Court is on the edge of areas of outstanding natural beauty and close to the beautiful River Frome. The whole of Dorset’s coast, from Swanage to Bridport is within a 50-minute drive, so there is plenty to find for even the keenest explorer.
Care facilities
Care available at Somerleigh Court Retirement Village covers every need. Personal assistance can range from occasional help to full nursing care in residents’ apartments and can be changed easily to suit individual needs. All apartments are fitted with emergency call technology providing access to assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Somerleigh Court also benefits from an award-winning nursing home on-site that provides long-term nursing, as well as convalescence, post-operative care, physio rehabilitation, holiday stays, and palliative care. A vibrant and caring environment in the heart of Dorchester, there are 40 generously-sized rooms each with TV, telephone and Wi-Fi facilities. For more information, please visit here.
According to retired, senior police officer, Barry Rutherford, Somerleigh Court in the heart of historic Dorchester, makes the perfect retirement location, with every amenity you could wish for, right on the doorstep.
Barry Rutherford and his wife were keen to remain in Dorset when they decided to make the move to a retirement community. Having spent a long time researching and visiting numerous locations, they chose Somerleigh Court, only ten miles away from the small village they lived in. “We decided that Somerleigh Court stood head and shoulders above the rest, primarily because of its wonderful location, smack bang in the middle of the beautiful, historic Roman market town of Dorchester. It’s so nice and central with easy access to all the facilities you could possibly need. The high street is vibrant and buzzing with plenty of shops as well as other amenities – including the railway station – all a short walk away. It’s so incredibly easy and convenient. I also love the sense of history with its links to Thomas Hardy, and I can even spot the site of an old Roman encampment from my window.”
Barry moved into a large, two-bedroom apartment which is big enough for family to come and stay whenever they want. He particularly enjoys the sense of community at Somerleigh Court. “I didn’t know anyone before I moved in, but now I have plenty of like-minded friends to chat to. Bricks and mortar are one thing, but it’s the people that really make the community here. A sense of community is vital and it’s a major part of life here. I’m literally surrounded by friends. There is a full programme of events to enjoy such as interesting guest speakers and visiting musicians and a regular pianist comes in and plays on request which is delightful. Many of the other residents have led incredibly varied and interesting lives and they enjoy getting together for a coffee either in the communal lounge or in the gardens on a regular basis. In fact, there is a wider and more interesting cross-section of people here at Somerleigh Court than there were in my old village!”
As a keen ex-sailor, Barry enjoys visits to nearby Portland Harbour but has now turned his hand to golf which he plays regularly nearby. After retiring from the police force after 40 years, Barry still enjoys keeping fit and active and tours the highways and byways of Dorset on his bicycle, reaching as far as Weymouth on a 25-mile round trip. Barry takes regular walks in the nearby Borough Gardens, a beautiful 19th century park and has become an active member of the Borough Gardens Group, enjoying the music played from the bandstand during the summer months. “I thoroughly enjoy living life to the full here. This is my community now.”
