The Hext Almshouses

The Hext Almshouses are almshouses dated 1626, which were remodeled in 1883 and 1967. They are constructed from local lias stone that is cut and squared, with Ham stone dressings. The building features an undulating plain clay tile roof between coped gables, which have a gabletted finial at the east end and a small stone bell turret, without a bell, at the west. There are brick and stone chimney stacks at the rear.

The structure is single storey with eight bays, which were originally one bay for each house but have since been modified. Each bay has a boarded and studded door set in a chamfered cambered archway, followed by a 2-light hollow chamfer mullioned window, and semi-circular arched niche seats for the occupants, appearing in pairs as alternate bays were handed. The doors in the right-hand (even-numbered) bays are now blocked. A continuous string course runs over all openings. In the center, there is a stone plaque with painted arms inscribed 'E.H/He hath Dispersed/abroad and Given/to the Poor/His Benevolence/Remaineth for ever/1626', flanked by tablets from 1967 that record the latest restoration.

The almshouses were started by Sir Edward Hext before his death in 1624 and were originally intended for eight men, but this was reduced to four in 1883 when the premises were remodeled.