Wynard's Hospital

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Wynard's Hospital
Wynard's Almshouses - geograph.org.uk - 4211034.jpg
Wynard's Hospital in 2014
Wynard's Hospital
General information
Type Almshouses
Architectural style Gothic
Town or city Exeter
Country England
Coordinates 50°43′14″N3°31′35″W / 50.7206°N 3.52638°W / 50.7206; -3.52638
Year(s) built1435
Renovated1863
Technical details
Material Heavitree stone
Renovating team
Architect(s) Edward Ashworth

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 Grade II* listed. [2]

Contents

Architecture

Wynard's Hospital is composed of twelve two-storey almshouses (now private dwellings) and a chapel, all built of Heavitree stone, around a cobbled courtyard. [2] Entrance to the courtyard from the road is through a central Gothic arch. [2]

Pevsner described Ashworth's work as having restored Wynard's Hospital 'to a picturesque medieval appearance', and noted 'their aesthetic appeal'. [1]

An 1880 watercolour of Wynard's Hospital by Edward Ashworth A Bird's Eye View of Wynards Hospital, Exeter.jpg
An 1880 watercolour of Wynard's Hospital by Edward Ashworth

History

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] 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]

References

  1. 1 2 Cherry, Bridget; Pevsner, Nikolaus (1989). The buildings of England (2nd ed. extensively revised ed.). Harmondsworth: Penguin books. ISBN   978-0-14-071050-2.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "WYNARD'S HOSPITAL, Non Civil Parish - 1239565 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Wynard's Chapel, c1815, Exeter - Devon and Exeter Institution". collectionsexplorer.devonandexeterinstitution.org. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  4. ↑ "Exeter Memories - Wynards Almshouses". www.exetermemories.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  5. ↑ "Wynard's Hospital and Almshouses, Exeter - Graces Guide". gracesguide.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  6. ↑ "Wynard's Hospital, Magdalen Street, Exeter, Devon | Educational Images | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  7. ↑ "exeter local history society - 2015.02.12: Wynards Almshouses". www.exeterlocalhistorysociety.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  8. ↑ "A Bird's Eye View of Wynards Hospital, Exeter (drawing)". Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  9. ↑ Cooper, Joel (2 February 2020). "STUNNING chapel for sale in Exeter city centre for just £185,000". Devon Live. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
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