Wynard's Hospital, also known as Wynard's Almshouses or Wynards, is a collection of buildings in Exeter, Devon, originally founded in 1435 as almshouses for the poor and sick. [1] [2] It is composed of twelve dwellings and a chapel built of Heavitree stone around a cobbled courtyard. [2] It is Grade II* listed. [2]
The almshouses and chapel were endowed by William Wynard, Recorder of Exeter between 1404 and 1442. [3] It has been suggested some of his wealth came from the proceeds of piracy. [4]
Wynard's Hospital was restored in the 17th century after taking damage in the Civil War, and again in 1863 by Edward Ashworth. [3] Pevsner describes Ashworth's work as having restored Wynard's Hospital 'to a picturesque medieval appearance', and noted 'their aesthetic appeal'. [1] By 1929, the provision for the poor at Wynard's Hospital had become known as 'one of the ancient customs' of Exeter. [5]
In 1973, Wynard's Hospital was restored for use as offices for Exeter City Council, having narrowly escaped demolition in the 1960s. [6] [3] Over the following two decades, Wynard's Hospital housed Marriage Guidance, Samaritans, Citizens Advice Bureau, the Council for Alcoholism, Pre-School Playgroups, Tapes for the Handicapped and the Young People's Counselling Service. [7] In 2001, they were sold by the council and converted for use as private dwellings before being sold on the open market. [8] [9]