As one of the highest-rated homes in Bristol, we are an independent, family-run home in Shirehampton offering exceptional personal care for older people in a genuine “home from home” setting.
Penhill Residential Home is a beautiful period property situated in the village of Shirehampton on the southern edge of Bristol. As a small, family-run home with capacity for just 19 residents, we are able to offer a level of personal care and attention that larger providers simply cannot match.
We’re proud that the quality of our care is consistently reflected in the heartfelt reviews we receive from residents, their families, and friends. We warmly encourage you to explore the feedback to get a genuine sense of life at Penhill.
Our home features spacious lounges, a bright conservatory, and a stunning landscaped garden complete with a Koi pond — an ideal setting for relaxation and wellbeing.
We take pride in creating a warm, friendly atmosphere where every resident is treated with dignity, love, and respect.
Our primary aim is to provide a caring, stimulating environment that respects and upholds each person’s dignity, privacy, and independence.
We do not believe in a regimented routine. Instead, we support residents to maintain their independence and live in a way that feels natural to them. Individual preferences are at the heart of the care we provide, whether this relates to daily routines, how care is delivered, or personal dining choices.
To ensure every voice is heard, we hold regular one-to-one care reviews with each resident, as well as resident forum meetings where everyone is encouraged to contribute to decisions about the home.
Our dedicated team takes the time to really get to know each resident, their history, their interests, and what matters most to them so that our care always feels personal, genuine, and responsive.
Led by our highly qualified Home Manager and Director of Care, Nathan, who has over 30 years of experience in person-centred health and social care, we are incredibly proud of our team, many of whom have been part of the Penhill family for years, and in some cases, decades.
We have an exceptionally stable team with very high staff retention and almost never need to utilise agency staff. This consistency allows residents to quickly become familiar with our family team and build lasting trust. Each team member is chosen for their kindness, empathy, and professional skill in delivering outstanding care.
All staff undergo rigorous and ongoing training, including Safeguarding, Data Protection & Confidentiality, First Aid, Moving & Handling, Dementia Awareness & Fire Safety. This ensures professional, high-quality care while maintaining a relaxed, family atmosphere.
We also provide bespoke training tailored to each role and individual interests, offering opportunities for staff to pursue qualifications such as NVQs and develop their skills beyond standard expectations, fostering both personal growth and excellence in care.
Penhill is a small independent home in a quiet part of Shirehampton, and that independence allows us to offer a level of personal attention and consistency that larger organisations simply cannot match. We focus on truly knowing each resident, their routines, preferences and stories, so we can support them with warmth, dignity and genuine familiarity. I understand that choosing a care home can feel overwhelming, and my team and I are here to guide you every step of the way. Our doors are always open, and we warmly invite you to visit, meet the team and explore whether our home is the right fit for you and your loved one.
With over 30 years in health and social care, I bring experience, strong leadership and a passion for delivering high quality, person centred support. I have held roles across care homes, day services and learning disability settings, continually developing through training and collaboration with organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society, AgeCymru and the NHS. As a Registered Manager, I have led complex services, including dementia and nursing care, always ensuring residents and their families remain at the heart of every decision.
Having worked in a variety of care settings, I genuinely believe Penhill offers a unique experience. Our small, close knit home allows us to provide care that is deeply personal, flexible and responsive. Here, staff and residents truly know one another, families feel part of the home, and decisions can be made quickly in the best interests of each individual. It is this combination of warmth, familiarity and professional skill that makes Penhill such a special place to live and to work.
We offer 18 comfortable, fully furnished rooms, including single and companion options, with en-suite facilities, nurse call systems, telephone points, TV, and WiFi access.
Each room is tastefully decorated and cared for by our in-house maintenance team, with cleaning and laundry provided as standard.
Should residents wish to bring any personal furnishings or decorations, we are very happy to accommodate them wherever possible.
Penhill features two welcoming lounges and a large conservatory, offering a variety of spaces for socialising, relaxation, and quiet reflection.
The first lounge is centred around a charming open log fire, creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere. The second lounge serves as both an activities hub and dining room, with open views into the kitchen so residents can chat with the chef and see what’s being prepared for lunch.
The conservatory is fully roofed to maintain a comfortable temperature and provides lovely views of the front garden, making it a bright and peaceful space to enjoy at any time of year.
The south-facing front of the house offers scenic views over the River Avon. A spacious patio provides a perfect setting for outdoor gatherings, and in the summer, it is often used for parties and events. Beyond the patio lies a well-kept lawn with flower borders, centred around a large fish pond.
At the rear, a paved courtyard offers a cooler retreat on warmer days, where residents enjoy spending time together, sharing stories, or taking part in activities.
Visitors are always warmly welcomed at Penhill, and we encourage regular contact with loved ones and friends. Whether it’s a brief catch-up, joining in our activities and parties, or sharing a meal, we do everything possible to make each visit comfortable and enjoyable.
For convenience, a courtyard allows families to drive right up to the home to collect residents for outings, and there is ample parking outside.
A local railway station and bus stop are just a few minutes’ walk away, making Penhill easily accessible for visitors.
We offer a wide range of activities designed to engage residents both socially and creatively. Visiting hairdressers and a chiropodist are available for those who wish to use their services, and we regularly arrange events chosen or suggested by our residents. Occasionally, we invite groups or performers to entertain with music, theatre, or song.
Social activities take place most days and are open to residents and family members who wish to participate. These include gentle exercise sessions, afternoon bingo, quizzes, sing-alongs, reading, poetry, concerts, music events, parties, and a wide variety of card and board games.
We enjoy a lively programme of seasonal events throughout the year. Summer brings relaxed barbecue gatherings in the garden, while the colder months feature winter celebrations, fireworks night and festive activities. We also welcome regular live music, visiting performers and themed events that add variety and joy to life at Penhill.
The outreach library service calls regularly with large print books and audio materials for those who enjoy reading or listening, and a small Church service, including Holy Communion, is also held for residents who wish to attend.
We are proud of our strong connections within the local community. Residents frequently attend events at the Village Hall, and we are now working with The Scrap Store, where we have been given a complimentary membership to support creative activities. We also maintain close links with St Mary’s Church, providing opportunities for social and spiritual engagement beyond the home.
At Penhill, we prioritise the health and wellbeing of all our residents. Weekly ward rounds are conducted by a GP to monitor resident’s health conditions and ensure any medical needs are addressed promptly.
We work closely with a local GP Surgery and Pharmacy to provide coordinated, professional care. Our staff are fully trained in medication administration, assisting residents with their prescriptions at the correct intervals and managing all associated records.
We also maintain comprehensive personal care plans for each resident using a secure electronic care management platform, ensuring that all aspects of care are accurately recorded and easily accessible to our team.
All of our food is freshly home-cooked daily by a qualified chef who excels in providing meals to meet the individual requirements of our residents. We pride ourselves on offering a daily selection of locally-sourced, high quality meals that are served to residents either in the dining room or their rooms depending on their preference.
A selection of snacks, fruit and drinks are available at all times.
A simple, transparent journey to finding the right care.
Contact us to discuss your needs and ask initial questions.
Meet the Manager, tour the home, and feel the atmosphere.
We visit you to ensure we can fully meet your care needs.
A 4-week trial period ensures you are completely happy.
