The Almshouses

The Almshouses are a group of six buildings founded in 1693 under the will of Thomas Newcombe. They were rebuilt in 1818, with contributions from the Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry, and had porches added in the mid to late 19th century. The buildings are constructed of buff brick in a Flemish bond pattern, with a brick dentil cornice. They have slate roofs and brick ridge and end stacks. Each almshouse has a one-unit plan, arranged as a six-window range across two storeys. Pilaster strips define the angles and a projecting gabled centre. The central section has a pair of doors, and above them is a large sunk stone panel featuring a moulded cornice and a long inscription detailing the history of the almshouses. Nos.1 and 2, and 5 and 6, have paired, open-fronted porches constructed of red brick with some blue brick and tile roofs, featuring chamfered Tudor arches. The almshouses have mid-20th century plank doors. The ground floor windows are 2-light casements with numerous glazing bars, while the first floor has horizontal sash windows. All openings are topped with stone flat arches containing keystones. The interiors have not been inspected. Thomas Newcombe, who founded the almshouses, was printer to Charles II, James II and William III; his monument is located in the nearby church.