The Almshouses, and adjoining forecourt and garden walls

SJ 41 SE SJ 4748 1477; 10/81

BOMERE HEATH C.P., BERWICK ROAD (west side), Nos. 1-14 (consec.), The Almshouses, and adjoining forecourt and garden walls

(formerly listed as Berwick Almshouses)

29.01.52

GV

II*

Row of almshouses and adjoining walls. Dated 1672, built at the expense of Sir Samuel Jones. Red brick with plain tile roofs. U-plan around square courtyard with enclosing wall to south. One storey and attic.

Moulded brick string courses above ground-floor windows, parapeted gable ends, large full brick gabled eaves dormers with segmental-headed two-light wooden casements, and integral brick lateral stacks to rear with pitched-roofed links to attics and paired diagonally-placed square shafts. Segmental-headed two-light wooden casements and mainly segmental-headed boarded doors. North range of eleven windows with door between first and second windows from left and two to right, one early C19 with six flush panels and three-part rectangular overlight; six dormers and two stacks. The fourth, fifth, eighth and ninth windows from the left were formerly doorways (see straight joints beneath).

West range of nine windows with door between fourth and fifth windows from left; five dormers and three stacks. The first, fourth, seventh and eighth windows from the left were formerly doorways (see straight joints beneath). East range of nine windows, with door between fourth and fifth windows from right. Five dormers and four stacks. The first, fourth, seventh and eighth windows from right were formerly doorways (see straight joints beneath). Gable ends to front with segmental-headed two-light wooden casements, cross windows to ground floor (left-hand ground-floor window blocked but frame survives).

Red brick enclosing wall to south (right-hand part looks partially rebuilt in mid-C20) with chamfered grey sandstone coping. Central grey sandstone ashlar gateway with chamfered rustication, ovolo-moulded elliptical archway with rusticated voussoirs and moulded imposts, frieze and moulded cornice, and large semi-circular pediment with globe finial and carved coat of arms in tympanum. Ashlar flanking walls with chamfered coping, stepped up to gateway with carved scrolls. Inscription to frieze largely illegible at time of survey (January 1987). C17 brick walls enclosing gardens at rear, with stepped grey sandstone coping.

The almshouses were founded by Sir Samuel Jones in 1670 for sixteen old people, each receiving £10 a year. The inscription on the gateway, largely illegible at the time of survey is known to read: "These Almshouses and Chappel were Given / and Endow'd by Sr Samuel Jones Knight / Anno Domini 1672".

The almshouses and chapel (q.v.) stand in the parkland around Berwick House (q.v.).

Listing NGR: SJ4750414764