The Royal Hospital Main Hospital Buildings Seven Three Storey Connected Blocks

The Royal Hospital consists of seven three-storey connected blocks, built between 1682 and 1702 under the design of Sir Christopher Wren. Founded by Charles II for old and disabled soldiers, the hospital has seen later additions by Sir John Soane and others, and has sustained some war damage. The former burial ground to the north-east contains several Renaissance tombs. The main hospital building is constructed of dark brick with red brick dressings, featuring stone quoins at the corners, moulded cornices, and slate roofs with dormers. The blocks are arranged to create three courtyards that open to the south-east, south-west, and north-east. The central block has a stone Roman Doric pedimented portico at both the front and back, leading to a vestibule between the hall and chapel, topped with a cupola and flanked by a one-storey colonnade on the courtyard side. The north-east and south-west blocks also feature stone pedimented central elements, while the pavilion blocks have pedimented centres.