Tinkers Hatch
Tinkers Hatch is a residential care home in Heathfield, East Sussex (TN21 0LX). It holds a CQC rating of Requires Improvement.
About Tinkers Hatch
Tinkers Hatch is a residential care home in Heathfield in East Sussex. We support older people and younger adults, including adults with learning disabilities and people with physical disabilities, and we offer respite stays for people whose usual home is elsewhere. We would rather be straight with you from the start. At our most recent inspection the Care Quality Commission rated us as requires improvement. We are not going to write around that. The findings were taken seriously, there is an improvement plan we are working through, and if you come and see us you should ask directly what has changed and what is still outstanding. You will get a plain answer. What has not changed is how we believe people should be treated. This is their home. Residents choose how their rooms look, when they get up, what they do with the day and who comes to see them. Because the people living here have genuinely different needs, we plan support one person at a time rather than running one routine and hoping it stretches. Where a physical disability affects how somebody gets about, we work around the person rather than expecting them to fit the building, and we are careful that help with one thing does not slide into doing everything. Genuine improvement comes from listening to residents and relatives and then acting rather than recording. That is where our attention sits, and we welcome anybody who wants to hold us to it.
Care provided at Tinkers Hatch
- Older person care
- Learning disability and autism support
- Physical disability support
- Younger adults care
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 3 August 2022
Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.
How Tinkers Hatch compares in Wealden
Measured against the 47 care homes for older people registered in Wealden. The dark dot is this home.
- Size
- 32 places. Smaller than 30 of the 47 homes. The local average is 45 places.
- CQC rating
- Requires improvement. 32 of the 47 homes (68%) are rated Good or Outstanding. Across East Sussex the figure is 75%.
- Latest report
- 3 August 2022. 21 of the 47 homes have published a newer inspection report since.
- Registered
- January 2011. One of the longer established homes. 36 of the 47 registered more recently.
- Food hygiene
- 5 out of 5. The top rating, shared by 37 of the 39 homes that have one.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Data: CQC register and Food Standards Agency ratings. Counts cover registered care homes for older people in Wealden.
The local picture: Wealden
What the numbers say about care for older people in Wealden, in East Sussex.
What care costs in East Sussex, per week
| Type of care | What the council pays | What self-funders are typically asked |
|---|---|---|
| Residential care | £929 | £1,500 to £1,809 (South East figure, because too few East Sussex homes publish this price. 107 homes. Median £1,600.) |
| Nursing care | £994 | £1,617 to £2,080 (South East figure, because too few East Sussex homes publish this price. 63 homes. Median £1,933.) |
| Residential dementia care | Not published separately | £1,571 to £1,942 (South East figure, because too few East Sussex homes publish this price. 82 homes. Median £1,709.) |
| Nursing dementia care | Not published separately | £1,975 to £2,226 (South East figure, because too few East Sussex homes publish this price. 37 homes. Median £2,050.) |
Published prices are often starting prices, and come from homes that publish fees, so treat them as a guide. Ask the home for its own price.
- People aged 75 and over: 24,700. Rising to 28,800 by 2035, up 17%
- People aged 85 and over: 6,300. Rising to 9,800 by 2035, up 55%
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 3,100. Rising to 4,000 by 2035, up 27%
- Dementia diagnosis rate: 56%. The NHS ambition is 67%. East Sussex as a whole is 61%.
- Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 69. East Sussex average is 88.
- Care homes, last 12 months: 0 opened, 1 closed. 13 changed owner, covering 685 beds.
- Care home beds filled across East Sussex: 83%. The 12 month average is 83%.
- Who pays, across East Sussex (estimate): 33% council, 47% self. The rest is NHS funded or other.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Market model built 22 October 2026 (ONS 2022 based population projections, dementia estimates, CQC register), published care home prices, council planning records.
Good to know about Tinkers Hatch
Facts from public registers, and what is close by.
- Registered with CQC
- 19 January 2011, so 15 years.
- Food hygiene rating
- 5 out of 5. Very good. Last inspected by the local council on 14 July 2025.
- Run by
- Tinkers Hatch Limited, which runs this service only.
Sources: CQC register, Food Standards Agency, OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances are in a straight line from the postcode, not walking or driving routes.
Local services near Tinkers Hatch
The closest places to this home, measured in a straight line from its postcode. They are the nearest, not necessarily the ones the home uses. Ask the home which GP, dentist and pharmacy its residents are registered with.
Nearest 24 hour A&E
- Eastbourne District General Hospital, Eastbourne, 12.5 miles away
It is about 12.5 miles in a straight line from the postcode. The drive is usually longer. In an emergency call 999; the ambulance may take you elsewhere.
Nearest GP practices
- Woodhill Surgery, 3.8 miles away
- Buxted Medical Centre, 4.7 miles away
- Bird-In-Eye Surgery, 5.5 miles away
Nearest dentists
- Colosseum Dental (Heathfield), 0.8 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Oak Lodge Dental Practice, 1 mile away (NHS.uk details)
- Magpies Dental Practice, 2.2 miles away (NHS.uk details)
Nearest pharmacies
- Procter Health Care Pharmacy, 0.8 miles away
- Procter Health Care Pharmacy, 0.9 miles away
- Manor Pharmacy, 2.3 miles away
Nearest railway stations
- Buxted Station, 4.7 miles away
- Crowborough Station, 5.9 miles away
- Uckfield Station, 5.9 miles away
Around Tinkers Hatch
- H: Tinkers Hatch
- A: 24 hour A&E
- G: GP practice
- D: Dentist
- P: Pharmacy
- S: Railway station
Straight line distances, not routes. Places very close to the home are spread out slightly so they can be told apart.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Practice and pharmacy details from the NHS England Organisation Data Service. A&E sites from NHS England A&E data and the Organisation Data Service. Railway stations from the Department for Transport NaPTAN dataset. Distances are straight line and approximate.
Common questions about Tinkers Hatch
Where is Tinkers Hatch located?
Tinkers Hatch is a residential care home in Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 0LX. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does Tinkers Hatch provide?
Tinkers Hatch is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Older person care, Learning disability and autism support, Physical disability support, Younger adults care, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is Tinkers Hatch's CQC rating?
Tinkers Hatch is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Requires Improvement following its last inspection on 3 August 2022. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does Tinkers Hatch offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. Tinkers Hatch offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about Tinkers Hatch
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
No. Tinkers Hatch is not listed for dementia care on the CQC register. If dementia is likely, choose a home that is, so a second move is not needed later.
Is there a nurse on site if health needs change?
No. Tinkers Hatch 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. Tinkers Hatch 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?
Yes. Yes. Tinkers Hatch supports younger adults as well as older people.
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 South East
Tinkers Hatch has not published its fees yet. These are typical weekly fees for the South East, so you know roughly what to expect before you call.
- Residential care: £1,100 to £1,450 per week per person, typical range
Indicative figures for the South East, not a quote from Tinkers Hatch. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
Explore more
More care homes in Heathfield
- Carricks Brook — CQC Good
- Quality Reliable Care — CQC Good
Browse all care homes in Heathfield.