Harpers Almshouses

Harpers Almshouses is an almshouse built around 1713, possibly incorporating older materials. The building is rendered and colourwashed, featuring a triple roll clay tiled roof with a tall stepped gable on the west side and an abutment on the east, along with brick chimney stacks.

The exterior consists of two storeys with four bays of irregular window arrangements. It has a plinth and timber casement windows with iron-framed opening lights, some of which are modern. The first bay has a two-light window below and a three-light window above, the second bay has a single and a double light below and a three-light window above, while the third and fourth bays have two-light stone mullioned windows without labels, all of which are rectangular and leaded. The entrance is located in the third bay, featuring a 20th-century door in a plain opening. Beneath the front chimney stack, there is a plaque in a recess with a square hoodmould that reads: "Glory to God/Mr Archibald Harper one/of the eight masters & in/the year 1702 Mayor of/this city did by his last/Will and Testament settle/This house and 500/upon/Trustees for the perpetual/use and maintenance of 5/poor men old decayed/Wool-combers of this/City of Wells/Mr Harper died May 11/1713/Blessed are the merciful/Matt 5.7."

The interior was not inspected. This almshouse was constructed on the site of Archibald Harper's own house.