Bushells Hospital

Bushell's Hospital is a large house dating to 1722, with subsequent alterations in the early 18th, 19th, and late 19th centuries. It was originally built as a private residence, converted to use as a hospital around 1745, enlarged circa 1822 and 1841, and further altered in the late 19th century. The building is constructed of ashlar, with a hipped slate roof and ridge chimneys.

The main house is nine bays wide, with two-bay receding wings at either end, and further additions to the rear of these wings. It has three storeys and is in a subdued Baroque style, now presented as symmetrical. String courses divide the facades at two levels. Rusticated quoins and panelled parapets are present on the centre and wings. The central five bays project slightly, with a parapet bearing twin pediments containing cartouches. These pediments replaced six urn finials after 1871. A large central doorway is flanked by engaged Ionic columns supporting an open segmental pediment with a cartouche displaying a coat of arms. Sash windows are set within moulded architraves. Decorated rainwater heads and downspouts are positioned between the outer window pairs, the topmost of which are inscribed with the date "1722". The flanking bays and wings have matching windows, apart from bay windows added at ground floor level between the centre and the wings; the right wing was added after 1871.

The left return wall has a slight projection of the central bay, featuring a doorway with an eared architrave and pedimented Ionic surround, with a matching window above, also with an eared architrave and moulded sill and cornice. The right return wall is similar, but includes a glazed porch. 19th-century extensions extend to the rear of both wings. The interior is noted as being of less architectural interest.

The hospital was founded through the will of Dr. William Bushell (likely a descendant of Seth Bushell of Preston, a prosperous woollen draper) in 1735. He provided for the establishment of a hospital at Goosnargh, located near his father’s former residence, to support “decayed gentlemen or gentlewomen, or persons of the better rank” from the towns and townships of Preston, Euxton, Goosnargh, Whittingham, Fulwood, and Elston, who were Protestants.