The Malthouse Care Home in Gillingham

Life at The Malthouse for residents is made as fun, fulfilling and comfortable as possible. The home is built on reputation from inside and outside the local community – the immense commitment and strength from a long-standing team of dedicated staff hugely contributes to the home’s success.

Gillingham’s setting within the Blackmore Vale brings a distinctly rural character to The Malthouse. 

The surrounding landscape is largely pastoral, with hedgerows, mature trees, and gently undulating fields extending beyond the town. Three waterways, the River Stour, Shreen Water, and River Lodden, create green corridors through the area, supporting varied wildlife and riverside habitats. 

Public open spaces around the waterways add further opportunities for residents at our care home in Gillingham, Dorset, to experience nature. Local surveys have recorded more than 200 species of wildflower, alongside butterflies, bees, kingfishers, water voles, and otters.

Book a visit to The Malthouse by calling 01747 448580, or fill in our enquiry form for a callback.

Daily activities and entertainment are a core part of our quality care at The Malthouse. We offer a range of activities that are person-centred and based on our residents’ individual needs. We encourage residents to continue pursuing their favourite hobbies and pastimes or to try out something new entirely.

Our small people carrier is great for taking residents on regular excursions to local places of interest. We’re also passionate about keeping our homes and residents at the heart of the local community, working closely with community groups, schools and other community connections to keep residents involved in local activities.

Some of our regular activities include:

• Knitting club
• Art club
• Flower arranging
• Cooking sessions
• Art and craft
• Music from local entertainers
• Regular outings
• Gardening club
• Weaving
• Games
• Keep fit

Gillingham’s connection with John Constable provides an especially strong local link for The Malthouse residents interested in art and history. 

Constable visited our town in the 1820s, producing paintings and sketches of the bridge, mills, and surrounding countryside. His legacy is now reflected in the three-mile In the Footsteps of Constable walking route, which passes locations featured in his work, including Purns Mill, the River Stour, and the view towards Folly’s End. 

Residents of our care home in Gillingham, Dorset, can follow his route and see the landscapes that once inspired his work for themselves.

Dining is an essential part of the care package we provide to our residents, not only from a general health and wellbeing perspective, but we believe residents should be able to enjoy eating what they want, when they want.

We pride ourselves on good traditional home cooking, and we can cater for any diet. Our kitchen team engages with our residents on a daily basis to measure food satisfaction, and we hold regular resident meetings where meals and menus are always the first item to be discussed. Our menus are rotated every season, and we constantly review them.

Our catering team prides itself on producing food of the highest quality, using local suppliers to create fresh, homemade dishes each day.

Residents can choose to dine in their own rooms rather than the dedicated dining rooms, with the same food choices and presentation standards available in both. Families are also welcome to join residents for meals. 

Food safety is a priority at The Malthouse, with allergen management and established hygiene procedures supporting the catering provision and helping ensure meals are prepared and served safely.

The Malthouse is situated within walking distance of the pretty, quaint town centre of Gillingham. Many beautiful locations are within easy reach, such as Stourhead Gardens, Pythouse walled gardens and Shaftesbury, where you can visit Goldhill, famous for the Hovis advert, and admire the stunning views across the Blackmore Vale.

Gillingham’s historic character can still be seen throughout the town centre, where much of the medieval street plan survives alongside a wealth of older buildings. Nearly 60% of buildings within the historic core date from the late 19th century or earlier, creating streetscapes that reflect the town’s development over centuries.

Local orange brick is another distinctive feature, reflecting Gillingham’s former importance as a brick-making centre. 

For residents at this care home, this legacy adds another layer of character to the local area, with historic streets, buildings, and architectural details providing plenty to notice during visits to town.

The health and wellness of our residents is very important, and we work closely in partnership with local health and wellness professionals to ensure every resident is able to lead a full and enriched life. We welcome visiting professionals such as GPs, chiropodists, and opticians, and can arrange visits to other professionals if and when it may be required.

We support residents’ continuing wellbeing through personalised risk assessments covering areas such as mobility, nutrition, and skin integrity at our care home in Gillingham, Dorset. These are reviewed as needs change, helping staff identify potential concerns and put appropriate measures in place as necessary. 

Our friendly advisors are happy to answer any questions about The Malthouse. Reach out today for an obligation-free chat to learn more. 

How can I arrange a visit to The Malthouse?

Call 01747 448580 to arrange a visit or have a no-obligation conversation about life at The Malthouse.

A visit to this care home in Gillingham, Dorset, provides an opportunity to see the home, meet the care team, and get a feel for everyday life. We can also discuss the care available and answer questions about how the home could support individual needs. 

What makes The Malthouse’s Dorset location appealing?

The Malthouse is within walking distance of Gillingham town centre, giving our residents the opportunity to stay connected with the local community and access a wide range of shops, cafés, services, and facilities. 

RiversMeet Leisure Centre, Gillingham Museum, and the library are also among the town’s community amenities, and the home’s minibus makes local outings and visits a pleasure to participate in.

How does The Malthouse make activities personal to residents?

At The Malthouse, activities reflect residents’ individual interests, with opportunities to continue already well-loved hobbies or discover exciting new pastimes always available. 

Creative sessions, gardening, music, games, outings, and visiting entertainers all feature in the programme. 

Recent activities have included falconry and a historical memorabilia session, giving residents opportunities to learn new things through unforgettable hands-on experiences.

How does The Malthouse stay connected with the local community?

The Malthouse maintains strong links with Gillingham through visits, events, and activities that involve our residents, local people, and community groups. 

These have included a return visit to RiversMeet Leisure Centre in 2025, where 96-year-old resident Maureen took part in a challenge after previously raising money through her swimming. 

Singing for Praises with Dementia Friends of Gillingham was then held in 2026, bringing The Malthouse residents, families, and local Gillingham community members together with music and song.

What can residents at The Malthouse enjoy in and around Gillingham?

Gillingham has a varied programme of community events throughout the year.

Although the town’s calendar includes a diverse array of different events, highlights include the Walking Festival, which features guided routes around the local area; Carnival Week with its Children’s Procession and evening Grand Illumination Procession; and the agricultural show, which celebrates Dorset’s rural character with livestock, equestrian events, crafts, produce, and entertainment.