About Birch Hill
Birch Hill is a small, homely care home in the Northumbrian village of Norham, high above the River Tweed and near Berwick-upon-Tweed, set in extensive grounds. It specialises in caring for up to 24 adults over the age of 65 who are living with dementia, and also offers short stays when there is space.
We focus on relationships and person-centred care that looks after each resident’s physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological wellbeing. We talk through every aspect of how an individual wish can be supported, from favourite foods to specific medical needs, and call people by the name they prefer.
Jennifer Mackie is the Home Manager. Birch Hill is part of the Lenore family of five care homes in the North East and North Yorkshire.
Good to know
- Family and friends are encouraged to visit. Visitors are welcome between 9am and 7pm, and at other times by arrangement.
- Residents can bring their own personal possessions and furniture, by request.
- Every bedroom has a television point.
- There is visitor parking at the home.
- The home is smoke-free.
- Visiting professionals, such as a doctor, optician, chiropodist and hairdresser, come to the home on request.
The care we offer at Birch Hill
Care at Birch Hill is built around people living with dementia, with support shaped around the individual.
Dementia care
We care for people living with a range of dementias. Care is adapted to the person, not just the diagnosis.
Alzheimer’s diseaseLewy body dementiaParkinson’s-related dementiaKorsakoff’s syndromeFrontotemporal dementia
Residential care in Norham
For people over 65. We look at what each resident can do for themselves and where they would like some help, so they keep their independence for as long as possible.
Respite and convalescent care
Short stays for people recovering from an illness or a hospital stay, and for families who need a break from caring. Subject to availability.
Daily life at Birch Hill
Life at Birch Hill runs at the resident’s own pace, with a daily activity programme built around their interests and past hobbies.
Arts & Crafts
Arts and crafts are part of the activity programme.
Games & Exercise
Exercise classes are part of the programme.
Singers & Music
Visiting musicians and local school children come to perform concerts.
Outings
Outings…
Follow Birch Hill on FacebookPhotos and news from day to day life at the home.
Visit our Facebook page (opens in a new tab)Food and dining at Birch Hill
The on-site catering team prepares nutritious, freshly cooked food every day, with a choice of meals. Mealtimes are sociable, and most residents choose to eat together, but eating in your own room is always an option.
Dietary needs, snacks and drinks
[LENORE CARE TO CONFIRM: how special diets, allergies and softer or textured foods are catered for, and snacks and drinks]
Rooms and facilities
- Private bedrooms for up to 24 residents, each with a television point. [LENORE CARE TO CONFIRM: en-suite details]
- Sitting rooms, lounges, a conservatory and a dining room, for company or for quiet time
- A ‘secret’ garden where residents can enjoy the outdoors safely, and gardens and a lawn at the front of the house, in extensive grounds
- A stairlift, and wheelchair access [LENORE CARE TO CONFIRM: confirm which areas are fully accessible]
- Visitor parking
- Residents’ internet access
- Smoke-free throughout
Access and mobility
Birch Hill has wheelchair access and a stairlift. [LENORE CARE TO CONFIRM: wording from the home manager]
Please tell us about any mobility needs before you visit and we will explain how the home can support them.
Meet the team
Jennifer Mackie, Home Manager
Jennifer has been at Birch Hill for almost eight years and has been the Registered Manager since February 2022. She has worked in care for over 22 years, across learning disabilities, dementia care and end-of-life care.
“[LENORE CARE TO CONFIRM: a short, genuine quote from Jennifer about what matters in the home]”
Meet the people you will see every day
[LENORE CARE TO CONFIRM: names, roles and a line from the cook, activities coordinator and a senior carer, with consent for names and photos]
Visiting professionals, such as a doctor, optician, chiropodist and hairdresser, come to the home on request. The home also has a visiting beauty therapist. [LENORE CARE TO CONFIRM: confirm]
Quality and inspection
Birch Hill is rated Outstanding overall by the Care Quality Commission. The inspection was in May 2026.
Rating for each question
| Inadequate | Requires improvement | Good | Outstanding | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe | Good | Good | |||
| Effective | Outstanding | Outstanding | |||
| Caring | Outstanding | Outstanding | |||
| Responsive | Good | Good | |||
| Well-led | Outstanding | Outstanding |
Fees at Birch Hill
Fees depend on the level of support someone needs. The manager will give you a written breakdown of what is included and what is not before you decide. We can also explain funding from the local authority and the NHS.
- Residential carefrom £1,500 per week
- Respite carefrom £1,500 per week
Indicative prices. The fee for each person depends on the support they need, and you get it in writing before you decide.
What residents and families say
Real words from people connected with Birch Hill, shared with their permission. [LENORE CARE TO CONFIRM: check each quote against the original and that permission was given]
We would just like to convey to you our very heartfelt thanks and gratitude, and also to all the team at Birch Hill for all you did for Mum. Your patience, understanding care and devotion and support given to our Mum during her stay with you was amazing and for that we will be eternally grateful. You are all a credit to Birch Hill and indeed the care services. We would also like to thank you for the kindness and support given to us during our visits to Birch Hill.
The care, support and understanding you have all given to us in the past few weeks with Dad’s passing has been amazing. The dedication and love you have shown to Mum and us as a family is incredible. Dad loved his stay at
Birch Hill and when visiting him it was a joy to see how happy and smiley and content he was. You made his twilight years peaceful and restful.Thank you for the lovely stories you told us with your own experiences with Dad.
Birch Hill Care home is excellent. With my mum’s condition I can’t think of anywhere else I’d like her to be.
Knowing Mum is safe and cared for by a super friendly dedicated team is a huge comfort.
Independent ratings
Finding Birch Hill
Norham
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Northumberland
TD15 2JZ
In the peaceful village of Norham, high above the River Tweed and near Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Get directions to Birch HillGetting here
By car
There is visitor parking at the home.
By bus
There is one bus route to Norham. [LENORE CARE TO CONFIRM: name the nearest stop and the walking time from the home]
Questions families ask about Birch Hill
When can I visit, and can I visit before deciding?
Yes, you can visit before deciding. Please call the home on 01289 382216+44 1289 382216 and arrange a visit directly with them. Our homes are open 24 hours a day. Visitors are welcome between 9am and 7pm. We ask that visits avoid mealtimes, so residents can enjoy their meals in peace. If you would like to visit at another time, just let us know beforehand and we will arrange it.
Do you care for people living with dementia?
Yes. Birch Hill cares for people living with dementia. The home focuses on dementia care, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s-related dementia, Korsakoff’s syndrome and frontotemporal dementia. Care is adapted to the person, not just their diagnosis.
Is Birch Hill wheelchair accessible?
The home has wheelchair access and a stairlift. [LENORE CARE TO CONFIRM: confirm details with the home]
What happens when someone moves in?
[LENORE CARE TO CONFIRM: how the home plans a move: for example an assessment before moving in, a care plan agreed with the resident and family, whether a short stay can be a first step, and what to bring]
