Park House care home in Martinstown, near Dorchester, has been sold to a new market entrant after its owners announced they were retiring after nearly 20 years.

Park House is an established care home registered for up to 20 residents and occupying a 20-bedroom Grade II-listed property which includes a purpose-built extension.

It sits in a prominent position within the Dorset village of Martinstown and is very much part of the community, with regular events held in the home’s eye-catching garden.

The home had been owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team, Stephen and Karen Cannie, since 2006.

But they decided to sell to enable them to retire from the care sector.

Following a confidential sales process with Simon Harvey at Christie & Co, it has been sold to a new entrant to the care sector who will look to operate the home utilising the existing registered manager and staff team.

Harvey said: “Having previously instructed another agent without success, I was delighted to have the opportunity to act for Stephen and Karen in the sale of Park House and, in particular, to have achieved them a positive outcome, enabling them to retire.

“A targeted and extensive, confidential marketing approach generated strong interest and multiple bids from a variety of buyers.

“As a result, a sale was agreed and we wish Stephen and Karen well with their retirement and, likewise, the buyer a very successful ownership of the business.

“This transaction, along with record levels achieved in 2024 and those that are currently ongoing, continue to demonstrate the strong appetite that exists for care businesses of all sizes and styles across the South West region.”

Park House care home was sold for an undisclosed price.