What are almshouses?

Almshouses are unfurnished dwellings, usually specifically designed with the needs of older people in mind. The aim is to provide convenient and comfortable accommodation in a setting which allows residents to come and go as they please. Whilst living independently residents are encouraged to make friends and share a wider social life together.

The dwellings, which belongs to a charity, are provided exclusively to meet the charity’s purposes (for example, the relief of financial need or infirmity) and is occupied or is available for occupation under a licence by a qualified beneficiary.

 Our history

James Hedger built eight cottages at Hedger Court, Webber Row in Southwark in 1797 and endowed them as a charity known as Hedger’s Almshouses by an Indenture of 24 October 1805 between James and his five sons who were appointed as trustees. The Indenture commemorates 19 August 1797 as the Foundation date. Income from other property provided an income to maintain the cottages for the “support and comfort” of eight poor women aged at least 50 years.

In 1897 the lease of the land at Southwark expired so eight new almshouses were built in Carlisle Terrace, near Lambeth Palace.

After World War II, during which the buildings suffered bomb damage twice, it was decided to move out of London. The buildings were in any case badly in need of modernisation. For instance there were no bathrooms and hot water had to be fetched from the Warden. The Trustees decided to sell up and start again. Over five years several sites were considered but turned down, being too remote from shops or too close to motorways. However, the Managing Trustee, Lilian Disney (nee Hedger), happened to be a neighbour of Alderman Wykeham Price, former Mayor of Guildford. He heard about the search and knew that the Poyle Trustees had just acquired Merrow House, which the last owner, Major Browell, had bequeathed especially for the use of housing for the elderly. To raise capital, the Poyle Trustees needed to sell off part of the garden. So Hedger’s acquired a beautiful, peaceful garden site and Wykeham Road was named at the request of Lilian Disney in honour of Colonel Wykeham Price.

Building started in 1963 and by 1965 a Warden and seven residents had moved in. Since then we have continued to modernise the bungalows whilst keeping maintenance contributions affordable. The bungalows now have central heating and double glazing. The fireplaces with coal burning back boilers are gone, replaced by Bosch condensing boilers heating water directly off the mains. The coal bunkers have become spaces for fridge/freezers and the bathrooms are now walk-in shower rooms.

Our current Scheme (governing document) was sealed on 17 June 1968.