The Orchards

The Orchards is a residential care home in Ely, Cambridgeshire (CB6 1DP). It holds a CQC rating of Requires Improvement.

About The Orchards

The Orchards is a residential care home in Ely, Cambridgeshire. Those living here include older people, many living with dementia, people with physical disabilities and people living with sight or hearing loss. We also take respite stays. We spend most of our attention on the parts of the day that a visitor never sees. Early mornings, when people need time rather than efficiency. Evenings, when the building goes quiet and somebody who cannot sleep needs company rather than a sedative. Those hours decide what living here is actually like. Where a resident cannot easily tell us what they need, we work at reading it. Unexplained restlessness is usually pain, or thirst, or needing the lavatory, and treating it as a behaviour rather than a message is one of the commonest failures in this work. Our most recent overall rating from the Care Quality Commission is requires improvement. We would rather say so here than let a family come across it afterwards and wonder what else we chose not to mention. We accept what was found and there is work still in hand. Come without an appointment if you are considering us. Talk to residents and relatives out of our hearing, and ask us directly what has changed since the inspection and what has not.

Care provided at The Orchards

Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.

Common questions about The Orchards

Where is The Orchards located?

The Orchards is a residential care home in Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB6 1DP. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.

What type of care does The Orchards provide?

The Orchards is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Older person care, Dementia care, Physical disability support, Sensory impairment support, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.

What is The Orchards's CQC rating?

The Orchards is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Requires Improvement following its last inspection on 5 December 2025. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.

Does The Orchards provide dementia care?

Yes. The Orchards supports people living with dementia. We recommend contacting the home directly to discuss your individual situation.

Does The Orchards offer respite or short-term care?

Yes. The Orchards offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.

Questions families ask about The Orchards

Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?

Yes. The Orchards is registered for dementia care, so someone whose needs increase can usually stay rather than move.

Is there a nurse on site if health needs change?

No. The Orchards is a residential care home without on-site nursing. District nurses and GPs visit, but someone who needs daily nursing may have to move to a nursing home.

Can they try a short stay before deciding?

Yes. Yes. The Orchards offers respite and short stays, which is a good way to see whether the home is the right fit.

Will they support end of life care, so there is no move at the hardest time?

Ask the home. End of life care is not listed on the register. Ask the manager whether residents can remain in the home with hospice or district nurse support.

Can she bring her cat or dog?

Ask the home. The home has not told us its pet policy yet. Ask directly; some homes allow small pets in residents' rooms or welcome visiting dogs.

Can a couple stay together?

Ask the home. We do not know whether the home has rooms for couples. Ask about shared or adjoining rooms if this matters.

Will the council help pay, or is it self funded only?

Ask the home. The home has not told us which funding it accepts. Most homes take both council funded and self funded residents; ask about council rates and any top up.

Do they take younger adults as well as older people?

No. The Orchards is registered for older people. Younger adults are not listed.

Can I visit before deciding, and are there visiting hours?

Ask the home. Every home should welcome a visit. Call to arrange one, ideally at a mealtime or during an activity, and ask about visiting hours for family.

Typical weekly fees in the East

The Orchards has not published its fees yet. These are typical weekly fees for the East, so you know roughly what to expect before you call.

Indicative figures for the East, not a quote from The Orchards. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.

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