Wynard's Hospital, also known as Wynard's Almshouses or Wynards, is a collection of buildings in Exeter, Devon, originally founded in 1435 as almshousesfor the poor and sick.[1][2] It is Grade II* listed.[2]
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]
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
- ^ a b Cherry, Bridget; Pevsner, Nikolaus (1989). The buildings of England (2nd ed. extensively revised ed.). Harmondsworth: Penguin books. ISBN 978-0-14-071050-2.
- ^ a b c d Historic England. "Wynard's Hospital (1239565)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ a b c "Wynard's Chapel, c1815, Exeter - Devon and Exeter Institution". collectionsexplorer.devonandexeterinstitution.org. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ "Exeter Memories - Wynards Almshouses". www.exetermemories.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ "Wynard's Hospital and Almshouses, Exeter - Graces Guide". gracesguide.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ "Wynard's Hospital, Magdalen Street, Exeter, Devon | Educational Images | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ "exeter local history society - 2015.02.12: Wynards Almshouses". www.exeterlocalhistorysociety.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ "A Bird's Eye View of Wynards Hospital, Exeter (drawing)". Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ Cooper, Joel (2 February 2020). "STUNNING chapel for sale in Exeter city centre for just £185,000". Devon Live. Retrieved 9 February 2025.