The Almshouse

The Almshouse is a range of red brick almshouses built in 1618 by Sir Stephen Soame to provide accommodation for nine poor people. Sir Stephen also constructed the old school house around the same time. The almshouses are designed in an E-shaped plan with a forecourt in front, which is accessed by steps from the road. They consist of nine rooms, including a central room designated for a person to read prayers to the other residents. The central section has one storey and attics, while the wings are single-storey. The windows feature two- and three-light mullioned casements with stuccoed rusticated surrounds and lattice leaded lights. Above the doorway, there is a stone panel carved with Sir Stephen Soame's coat of arms, similar to that on the old school house. The roof is tiled, and there are detached diagonal shafted chimney stacks.