Coombe House

The Coombe, Streatley, Reading RG8 9QL
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10 56 Reviews
  • Coombe House, Reading
Coombe House is a family run home and has been serving the local community for over 30 years. Care Quality Commission rated the home as "Outstanding" at its last inspection (April 2018).

It is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Streatley On Thames West Berkshire. The village of Goring On Thames is nearby, linked to Streatley by a bridge over the River Thames. There are picturesque views of the Swan Hotel, river, weirs and Goring Lock. This stunning location offers attractive views of the surrounding countryside and the Goring Gap.

Coombe House provides care for older residents who no can no longer live independently at home or who choose not to live alone. Sometimes getting older and living alone in your own home can be lonely and difficult, but at The Coombe House, they provide a homely secure and relaxed environment in lovely surroundings, with the highest standards of care based on the individual needs of residents. They offer holiday and respite care when they have an available room.

They benefit from having close links with the local community and being able to access two lively villages, providing many facilities and activities. There are nearby bus stops and a railway station with trains to Reading, London and Oxford. The M4 is 15 minutes by car.

Care Provided by Coombe House

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Eating Disorders
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Older Person Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite Care
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 24 Service Users
  • Privately Owned
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Bipolar/Manic Depression
  • Cancer Care
  • Challenging Behaviour/Psychosis
  • Colitis & Crohn's Disease
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Head/Brain Injury
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Orthopaedic
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Schizophrenia
  • Speech Impairment
  • Stroke
  • Visual Impairment
  • Other Care Provided
  • Convalescent Care
  • Day Care
  • End of Life Care
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care
  • Physiotherapy

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • C Windebank and S Howard
  • Person in charge
  • Suzanne Howard (Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (20)
    • Couples/Companion Rooms (2)
    • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (20)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: No
    • Last Refurbishment: 2023
    • Number of floors: 1

Funding & Fees Guide for Coombe House

  • Funding Types Accepted
  • Self funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top-Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Funding
  • Weekly Charges per Person
    • Self-Funded Residential Care £1,350 – £1,495
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care £1,350 – £1,494
  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact Coombe House to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Close to Local shops
  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Near Public Transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Television point in own room
  • Visiting
  • At any time


  • Parking
  • Plenty of parking space in the driveway


Total of 56, showing 1-20
10

Coombe House has a Review Score of 10 (9.955) out of 10, based on 13 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Coombe House has 56 reviews.

Overall Experience

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Date Published

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother moved into Coombe House in March 2024, 8 months ago. She is so happy there and tells me this frequently when I visit. She considers this to be her home and the other residents there are her friends; they are a happy group. The meals are excellent, really delicious home cooked food. The activities
are varied each day of the week and residents are encouraged to join in if they wish. It is well staffed with the same carers there on a rota every week so that mum knows them and enjoys a good conversation with them as she has a sense of humour. The staff are very kind, thoughtful and treat her as if she was their own mother. We are delighted that she is in Coombe House. Thanks to all of the staff for the excellent job that you do, we really appreciate the care that you all give.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are so very happy with mum's progress and happiness since moving to Coombe House 8 months ago. It really is an exceptional home with superb standards. We feel very lucky and safe knowing she is well cared for and stimulated each day with activities, friendship, laughter and excellent food!! What
more can a family ask for to give peace of mind. Thank you Coombe House staff and management. We value your efforts.

Reply from Suzanne Howard, Manager at Coombe House

Thank you so much for your review and lovely words, it is much appreciated. We are so pleased that your mother is doing so well!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum is very well looked after and she tells me that the food is excellent. Her room is always clean and tidy as is the rest of the care home and her clothes are regularly laundered. I have found the staff at Coombe House to be very kind, friendly, and helpful. They are experienced and are able to
look after Mum very well and I have no concerns about the standard of care. I am happy to recommend Coombe House as a residential care home.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

By August 2023, it was no longer tenable for our 105-year-old mother to remain in her own home. Assisted by a family member, who is a well-informed psychiatric nurse, we reconnoitered several care homes in the Thames Valley region with good or outstanding CQC ratings. The homes we visited ranged from
hotel-standard facilities and decor to small-scale homeliness. Our principal criteria were excellent person-centred care, safety, and cleanliness. Coombe House was our first choice. We were struck by its family-orientated ethos, which has been instilled by its owners in all the staff, who could not be kinder and more caring. The home has character. Our mother is not left isolated in her own room (which is always spotless). She is dressed well each day and brought to the communal living space, where residents are gently encouraged to socialise. Our mother is now 106, fully settled in and content. We had high expectations and Coombe House has exceeded them.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My sister moved into Coombe House six years ago after becoming extremely ill and unable to look after herself. She has received superb care and is now nearly 95. She regards Coombe House as her home - and the staff and Coombe House have become part of her family. All the staff without exception are
extremely kind and caring, as are the managers. The activities they provide keep her as mentally alert and physically fit as possible. She is very musical and has been delighted to be able to play Coombe House's piano, which she says has a good tone. Her short-term memory has become bad and she has always been a great worrier. The managers and staff cope with this magnificently. She has recently changed her room to one that is smaller but in many ways more attractive. - and she is happy there. We are thankful that she is able to stay at Coombe House - hopefully for the rest of her life. Thank you again, Coombe House, for the love and care you give her.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

After 10 months of my aunt being a resident at Coombe House, I continue to praise the tireless and caring way the management and staff work to create an environment that regards every resident as an individual and with sensitivity, respect, and dignity. We all fear losing our independence and no longer
living in our homes, Coombe House has helped to make this transition as straightforward and smooth as possible. I feel assured from many visits and from my close relationship with my Aunt that she feels relaxed, safe, and very well cared for. Visiting Coombe House is an enjoyable experience, the house is a happy and very welcoming place to relax and feel comfortable, whether you're a resident or a visitor - I always look forward to my visits, thank you Coombe House!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father has been a resident for two years during which time he has been treated with care and respect. The staff are excellent in listening to his requests and needs which is becoming increasingly important as he grows more frail.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

With some trepidation I moved my 95 year old stepmother from her own home in the North of England to Coombe House, it has been a huge success. She is extremely happy, she soon settled and has made some very close friends. She tells me I couldn't have found her anywhere better, the carers are so kind
and understanding, the meals are wonderful she's enjoyed every meal since she arrived and she has now been there over 2 years. Her room is a very good size so she was able to bring some of her own furniture with her, this was understandably very important to her. I cannot fault Coombe House, it is professionally run with an excellent management team, and superb staff. As my stepmother's needs have gradually increased this has been recognised and her care automatically adjusted. I appreciate the close contact which I have with the staff so I am kept fully in the picture. Thank you Coombe House staff for your care, and empathy it is very much appreciated.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother passed away on May 5th 2023. She had moved to The Coombe House in October 2021 and although reluctant at first to move into care, she did adapt to her new life. Her transition to feeling safe and comfortable was largely down to the excellent care she received from all the staff there and the
gentle and coaxing manner they used to get her to join in with the many activities that are on offer.
She passed away so peacefully and I feel that this was down to her strength of character, but also how safe and held she felt. I am forever indebted to all the staff at The Coombe House for their tenderness (firmness at times) and above all their dedication to the caring roles they provided, whether that care was as care assistants, cooks, cleaners or caretakers.
The care home is excellently managed by the care house manager there, who spent time with my sister explaining what care was best for Mum and always keeping her updated and on hand if necessary to talk to.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It was my 90 year old mother's intention to stay at The Coombe House for a week, over Easter, as she could no longer manage the stairs in our home. Within 24 hours, she had decided she would like to sell her house in Staffordshire and make The Coombe House her home to be close to us as she felt safe,
well cared for and welcome. She has a bright, sunny room, she is looked after with respect and dignity and continually tells us how happy and fortunate she is. This gives us great peace of mind.

Reply from Suzanne Howard, Manager at Coombe House

Thank you for taking the time to review us. It is much appreciated.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I can’t praise this home enough. My mother has blossomed both physically and mentally since she went there 4 months ago. She is always raving about the food and things she’s been up to. From live music performances, to exercise classes, to quizzes and school visits, there is plenty going on. The
staff also go out of their way to find activities that suit someone who is vision impaired.
When I visit, it always seems scrupulously clean and the staff are all happy and welcoming. They have been really helpful in helping her transition into the home and giving her a say on how she would like her care to be. The management is really open to hearing family and residents views and readily adapts to suit personal preferences. We don’t think we could find a better home anywhere.

Reply from Suzanne Howard, Manager at Coombe House

Thank you so much for reviewing us, it is much appreciated!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Selecting a care home for my father was an arduous affair. We saw all manner of facilities from institutional style settings to those that were more like hotels. The former were quite foreboding and the latter felt somewhat clinical with their identikit styling. Nowhere felt like home until we stood
on the welcome mat at Coombe House. This place really puts the home in care home. It's family run rather than corporate owned which may be the reason the staff turnover is so low. Dad's deteriorating mental health meant this was an important factor in our decision making. Familiar faces mean the world to people like my father. Thank you Coombe House.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My 92 Year old Mother has been a resident at The Coombe House for 4 years now and the care she has experienced has been second to none. The Management team and staff provide a really safe and welcoming environment and my mother seems to thrive under their care and attention. They make every effort
to cater for her needs and encourage her to join in as much as possible - since Covid there has been a full program of activities and she talks very positively about her days and the work the staff do to keep her entertained. The food is also very good which is a definite bonus. The atmosphere at Coombe is more like a family home than a care home- and we are lucky to have found such a great home for her.

Reply from Suzanne Howard, Manager at Coombe House

Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to submit a review, it is much appreciated.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My 90-year-old mother has been at The Coombe for the past seven years, following a period of significant mental ill health. Overall, the staff have looked after her extremely well with great kindness and consideration and she is very well cared for. Their approach during the very difficult lockdown
periods was humane and pragmatic. Whilst being very careful to protect their residents, they also recognised the importance of visiting and continued to support that throughout. The home is welcoming and friendly and feels more like a home than an institution. The staff and management are always welcoming of suggestions and have tried very hard to support my mother to do the things which she would like to do and they treat her with respect and as an individual. There are activities going on which my mother enjoys at the time even if she doesn't always remember doing them and when staffing permits, they do try to get her out for walks, which makes a big difference to her. Would highly recommend.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My own experience, although it's not me who resides at The Coombe House but my mother, is a warm and friendly home with a nice atmosphere. Nothing is ever too much for the staff in relation to care and I say this having watched first-hand how they deal with residents which is with a smile and often
with humour too which is something we all need in life. Mum constantly tells me how kind the staff are, how good the food is and how settled she is. Despite not being a dementia home, The Coombe look after my mum and her early dementia symptoms really well. I cannot praise the staff highly enough, they truly are a fabulous team.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Coombe House is a warm, welcoming home where the residents are treated with kindness and respect in a lovely homely environment. My mother has been a resident for nearly a year and is well settled. She is well looked after and enjoys the activities on offer and the excellent food and drink. The staff
are all extremely helpful and welcoming to visitors and visits can be arranged at any time. The home is well managed and staff are always available to discuss any issues. I am very happy with the care my mother receives and highly recommend Coombe House.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The manager and the care team at Coombe House have provided excellent care for my 96-year-old father, keeping him very well cared for and happy in a clean, comfortable, warm, safe and dignified environment, whilst managing all the foibles and challenges of reaching this age with great patience and thoughtfulness.
In particular, during the last 2 very tough years in the UK whilst managing a proverbial mountain of rules, restrictions and safety processes. In particular, the team were early to implement cautious staffing and resident safety strategies whilst the government / Department of Health c19 strategies were still being defined.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wonderful, caring and well-oprganised home which my mother has settled into well. The home has a calm and homely feel. The meals are all home-cooked and the menu is varied. Couldn't praise it more

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother was given the best care possible from a dedicated team during her stay and particularly, towards the end when somebody was with her constantly. The whole of my mother's stay at Coombe House was during the covid 19 restrictions but measures were put in place to allow me to visit whenever possible
and I was never refused. I can only thank all the staff for their kindness and understanding during a very difficult time. To sum up, I think Coombe House is a very caring care home. Thank you.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I consider that my Mum was extremely fortunate to have been able to spend the last 4 years of her life in the exemplary care of Coombe House. Top of the list of their attributes is the very genuine care, kindness and thoughtfulness that they demonstrate, not just to their residents but also to their
families. However, it was during Mum's final days that Coombe House really excelled, which I witnessed first hand. I was so touched by the genuine affection that all the staff clearly had for their residents, but what I was also so very grateful for was the support and thoughtfulness that they showed to me, which then allowed both Mum to have a very calm and peaceful passing, and for me to have very precious time with her which has made coping with this very sad event so much easier. They handled every aspect with equal measures of care and professionalism. I will be forever indebted to Coombe House for the wonderful experience that Mum, and I enjoyed.

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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.955)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.955) out of 10 for Coombe House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 13 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 13 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.955 for Coombe House is calculated as follows: ( (147 Excellents x 5) + (7 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 154 Ratings = 4.955

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Coombe House is based on 13 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 24 registered maximum number of service users is 4.8, which has been reached with 13 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Performance

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 19 Jul 2018

Overall
Outstanding

  • Caring

    Good
  • Effective

    Good
  • Responsive

    Outstanding
  • Safe

    Good
  • Well-led

    Outstanding

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

1 Bed Vacancy

posted 24 Feb 2025

A lovely ensuite room with beautiful views over the garden, woods and beyond.


Awards / Recognitions (0)

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Meet the Team (5)

Suzanne

Suzanne Howard

Job Title: Registered Home Manager

Joined: 1998

Suzanne, the Home Manager at Coombe House, is dedicated to fostering an environment where peace, privacy, and independence are paramount. She ensures that each resident enjoys a nurturing atmosphere, living as independently as possible with the utmost respect and sensitivity. With a compassionate and personalized approach, Suzanne leads a committed team that recognizes and supports the unique needs and abilities of every individual. Her unwavering dedication, which enhances the comfort, dignity, and quality of life for all residents, has also earned Coombe House an Outstanding rating by the CQC.


Sarah

Sarah Windebank

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2003

Sarah joined the Coombe House partnership in 2003, bringing with her qualifications in alternative therapies and a deep appreciation for holistic care. Her commitment to enhancing elderly care led her to further training, completing a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care.


In her spare time, Sarah enjoys walking her Jack Russell dog, a beloved regular visitor and residents' favourite at Coombe House. Her holistic approach and leadership in care ensure that every resident receives compassionate and comprehensive attention tailored to their individual needs.


Marian

Marian Windebank

Job Title: Registered Provider of Care

Joined: 1988

Marian, a co-founder of Coombe House, has been dedicated to providing exceptional care since 1988. A trained nurse with a BSc in Gerontology from Oxford, Marian's expertise and compassion have been instrumental in shaping the home's warm and welcoming environment. Her commitment to ensuring residents live as independently and fulfilled as possible and are treated with respect and sensitivity.


Marian's continued involvement reflects her unwavering dedication to the well-being of the residents.


Aisha

Aisha Small

Job Title: Care Coordinator

Joined: 2023

Aisha joined Coombe House in 2023, bringing with her over 10 years of experience in caring for older people. As our Care Coordinator, she oversees the home's Medication Management and is currently pursuing her Level 5 Diploma in Health & Social Care. Known for her calm manner in crisis situations, Aisha’s expertise and genuine compassion make her a favourite among residents. She is committed to ensuring that every resident is treated with respect and sensitivity, tailored to their individual care needs and abilities. Aisha’s exceptional skills and warm approach truly enhance the quality of care at Coombe House.


Ann

Ann Pitcher

Job Title: Senior Health Care Assistant

Joined: 2022

Ann joined Coombe House in 2022 having worked in the care industry for over two decades. As a Senior Health Care Assistant, she has the responsibility for overseeing the personal care of our residents daily ensuring our residents lead a safe, happy, and comfortable life in our lovely residential home. Ann is also our Activities Coordinator, Hydration Champion and point of contact for families and friends of our residents. Her role is dynamic, each day bringing new challenges and opportunities to demonstrate compassion and empathy for all our residents' needs.


Frequently Asked Questions about Coombe House

What types of Care is Coombe House registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Respite Care, Eating Disorders, Mental Health Condition, Physical Disability & Sensory Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

What additional types of Care does Coombe House provide?

Palliative Care, Day Care, Convalescent Care, Physiotherapy, Own GP if required & End of Life Care are other types of care provided.

How many Rooms does Coombe House have?

There are 20 Single Rooms and 2 Couples/Companion Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at Coombe House?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Gardens, Residents Kitchenette, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room & Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is Coombe House to the centre of Reading?

9.2 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.