The Oast
The Oast is a residential care home in Maidstone, Kent (ME15 7AT). It holds a CQC rating of Good.
About The Oast
The Oast is a residential care home in Maidstone in Kent. We provide a home for older people who need support with daily living, and we also support younger adults. Respite stays are available for people needing care for a short spell or whose usual carer needs a break. Moving into a care home is a considerable step, and the first weeks count for more than any description of the building. We spend them learning about the person rather than settling them into our routine. What they did for a living. What they will not be talked into eating. What time breakfast has always happened. Whether they would rather have company or be left in peace with the radio. Small facts, and between them they are most of what turns a room into somewhere that feels like home. The day belongs to the people living it. Getting up and going to bed when you choose, visitors when it suits you, keeping up with family, friends, church and whatever you have always done. We are here to make those things possible rather than to organise anybody's time. We take the practical side seriously too. Food worth looking forward to, medication handled carefully, prompt attention when somebody is unwell, and plain conversations with families when things change. The Care Quality Commission rated us good at our most recent inspection. We keep asking residents and relatives where we fall short.
Care provided at The Oast
- Older person care
- Younger adults care
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 14 July 2026
Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.
How The Oast compares in Maidstone
Measured against the 40 care homes for older people registered in Maidstone. The dark dot is this home.
- Size
- 28 places. Smaller than 28 of the 40 homes. The local average is 44 places.
- CQC rating
- Good. 29 of the 40 homes (73%) are rated Good or Outstanding. Across Kent the figure is 68%.
- Latest report
- 14 July 2026. 1 of the 40 homes has published a newer inspection report since.
- Registered
- September 2016. 15 of the 40 homes registered more recently.
- Food hygiene
- 5 out of 5. The top rating, shared by 31 of the 33 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 Maidstone.
The local picture: Maidstone
What the numbers say about care for older people in Maidstone, in Kent.
What care costs in Kent, per week
| Type of care | What the council pays | What self-funders are typically asked |
|---|---|---|
| Residential care | £1,187 | £1,409 to £1,600 (Middle half of prices from 22 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing care | £1,378 | £1,550 to £1,865 (Middle half of prices from 11 Kent homes. Median £1,605.) |
| Residential dementia care | Not published separately | £1,500 to £1,619 (Middle half of prices from 18 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing dementia care | Not published separately | £1,975 to £2,226 (South East figure, because too few Kent 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: 19,200. Rising to 22,400 by 2035, up 17%
- People aged 85 and over: 5,200. Rising to 7,900 by 2035, up 54%
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 2,500. Rising to 3,200 by 2035, up 28%
- Dementia diagnosis rate: 65%. The NHS ambition is 67%. Kent as a whole is 62%.
- Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 79. Kent average is 77.
- Care homes, last 12 months: 0 opened, 0 closed. 4 changed owner, covering 174 beds.
- Care home beds filled across Kent: 88%. The 12 month average is 88%.
- Who pays, across Kent (estimate): 35% council, 43% self. The rest is NHS funded or other.
Planned and recent building work within 5 miles
- 0.7 miles: Memory Lane House 25 College Road Maidstone Kent. Application for a 12 bed care home through a change of use. Submitted 21 September 2026. Decision pending.
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 The Oast
Facts from public registers, and what is close by.
- Registered with CQC
- 12 September 2016, so 10 years.
- Food hygiene rating
- 5 out of 5. Very good. Last inspected by the local council on 28 January 2025.
- Run by
- Charing Oast 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 The Oast
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
- Maidstone Hospital, Maidstone, 2.3 miles away
It is about 2.3 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
- The College Practice, 0.7 miles away
- The Medical Centre Group, 0.8 miles away
- The Vine Medical Centre, 1 mile away
Nearest dentists
- Longford Dental Centre, 0.4 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- The White House Dental Surgery, 0.6 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Orchard Dental Practice, 0.7 miles away (NHS.uk details)
Nearest pharmacies
- Paydens Pharmacy, 0.5 miles away
- Shepway Pharmacy & Health Clinic, 0.8 miles away
- Link Pharmacy, 0.9 miles away
Nearest railway stations
- Maidstone West Station, 1 mile away
- Maidstone East Station, 1.3 miles away
- Maidstone Barracks Station, 1.4 miles away
Around The Oast
- H: The Oast
- 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 The Oast
Where is The Oast located?
The Oast is a residential care home in Maidstone, Kent, ME15 7AT. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does The Oast provide?
The Oast is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Older person care, Younger adults care, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is The Oast's CQC rating?
The Oast is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Good following its last inspection on 14 July 2026. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does The Oast offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. The Oast offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about The Oast
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
No. The Oast 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. The Oast 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 Oast 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. The Oast 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
The Oast 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 The Oast. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
Explore more
More care homes in Maidstone
- Aspen House — CQC Good
- Bowercroft Care — CQC Good
- Cedardale Residential Home — CQC Good
- Chippendayle Lodge Residential Care Home — CQC Good
- Church Lane — CQC Good
- Eastfield — CQC Good
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