Greatham Hospital

GREATHAM FRONT STREET NZ 4927 (off west side) 12/21 Greatham Hospital 23.4.52 II

Almshouse (Hospital of God, St. Mary and St. Cuthbert), 1803-4 by Jeffrey Wyatt (later Wyatville) for J.W. Egerton, Earl of Bridgewater; 1272 foundation. Limestone ashlar with hipped slate roofs and stone ridge copings. Rectangular plan around 2 small "T"-plan courtyards. Quasi Gothic style; single storey. Principal (south) front has central hall fronted by a slightly projecting loggia, open to front with 3 pointed, chamfered arches, diagonal buttresses and moulded eaves cornice. Embattled parapet flanks a central square clock tower, having narrow diagonal buttresses, moulded eaves cornice, embattled parapet and octagonal timber bell turret, with pointed, louvred opening to each face, ogee roof and weather-vane finial. Lower 2-bay wings to left and right are buttressed between bays. Octagonal clasping buttresses at angles rise as turret chimney stacks. Mid C20 casements in original chamfered openings under labels. Ridge stack to each wing. Extensions to rear, and former Master's House adjoining north-east angle are not of interest. V.C.H. Durham, 1928, Vol. II p. 121 and Vol. III pp. 242-3.

Listing NGR: NZ4918427588