Barker'S Almshouses

SU 77SE ST NICHOLAS HURST CHURCH HILL (south side)

5/15 Barker's Almshouses (Formerly listed as 1.8.52 Hurst Almshouses)

GV II Almshouses. Dated 1664, brick, narrow brick string over ground floor windows, hipped old tile roof, 2 symmetrical chimneys on main block, cruciform on plan. 2 storeys. North front has 7 bays, 6 semi-dormer windows with 3-light lattice leaded casements and hipped old tile roof with lead ridges.Below each semi-dormer is a similar but larger 3-light casement in wooden frame.In centre bay a ledged door with board hood and string broken up to form drip, and above a stone inscription panel with stone cartouche over carried up into the roof.Inscription:- "The hospital for the Maintenance of eight poor persons each at 6d.per diem for ever was Erected and Founded in ye year 1664 at the sole charge of WILLIAM BARKER of Hurst in the county of Wilts.Esq, who died on ye 25th March, 1685 and lyes buried in the South Chancel of this Parish Henry Fairfax Esq. His Newphew and Heire M.P." Interior is of no special interest. VCH p.248 B.O.E.Berkshire p.210

Listing NGR: SU7949272929