Almshouses (Gaywood Hospital)

The Gaywood Hospital almshouses consist of eight buildings arranged around a courtyard. They have origins dating back to the 13th century but were destroyed during the Siege of Lynn in 1643. The almshouses were rebuilt in 1649 and underwent restoration in 1904, with further modernisation in 1965.

Constructed from brick with plaintile roofs, the almshouses are single-storey structures. The north side serves as the entrance, featuring gable ends on the east and west wings that complete the facade with Dutch gables. The gabled entrance has a double-leaf timber studded door, and a datestone in the gable commemorates the rebuilding in 1649 after the fire. There are three three-light casement windows, with the one immediately to the right of the entrance showcasing double sunk-quadrant mouldings. A short passage leads into the courtyard, where plank doors to the interiors are equipped with dog-gates and are topped with gabled hoods on brackets. Most of the casements are from the 18th century, but five retain a two-light sunk-quadrant moulded window. The north and south wings each have two ridge stacks, while the other wings have one. Notably, the north-east stack features a stone sundial slab dated 1738. In the centre of the courtyard, there is a cast-iron hexagonal water pump.

The interior is mostly not visible, but large arched braces to the collars date from the 1904 restoration.