We'd been for a wander up and down the high street of Wotton-under-Edge, and were about to get back in the car and head home, when Andy spotted the sign above the little door over the street. "Visitors are welcome to walk around the courtyard and see the chapel." Well, we didn't need to be told twice.
I've always liked almshouses, from the charitable concept (providing housing for the poor) to the style of implementation which usually involves cute, tiny terraces arranged around a courtyard. These ones were built in the 17th century, and the beautiful little chapel in the middle of the courtyard still has a communion service every Monday.
6 comments:
When you start looking, it's easy to find almshouses in many old towns - as you say, they have a very characteristic style of architecture!
As you said, I too, like the concept of almshouses... for sleeping quarters for the poor...sure beats today's habits of allowing the homeless to sleep on the streets and in the woods
I have a strong family contingent in dear old Wotton. My cousin is actually the chair of the Almshouses Committee (on a sombre note we were thus allowed to hold my aunt's funeral in the lovely little chapel there.) They are completely wonderful buildings; thanks for posting this Rachel!
What lovely buildings they are.
Lovely photos, Rachel :) Looks quite charming indeed.
how lovely - they usually do look really cute, don't they? And they were so important to the residents, of course.
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