Wynard's Hospital

Wynard's Almshouses in 2014

Wynard's Hospital, also known as Wynard's Almshouses or Wynards, is a collection of buildings in Exeter, Devon, originally founded in 1435 as almshouses for the poor and sick.[1] It is composed of twelve dwellings and a chapel built of Heavitree stone around a cobbled courtyard.[1] It is Grade II* listed.[1]

History

The almshouses and chapel were endowed by William Wynard, Recorder of Exeter between 1404 and 1442.[2] It has been suggested some of his wealth came from the proceeds of piracy.[3]

Wynard's Hospital was restored in the 17th century after taking damage in the Civil War, and again in 1863 by Edward Ashworth.[2] By 1929, the provision for the poor at Wynard's Hospital had become known as 'one of the ancient customs' of Exeter.[4]

An 1880 watercolour of Wynard's Hospital by Edward Ashworth

In 1973, Wynard's Hospital was restored for use as offices for Exeter City Council, having narrowly escaped demolition in the 1960s.[5][2] Over the following two decades, Wynard's Hospital housed Marriage Guidance, Samaritans, Citizens Advice Bureau, the Council for Alcoholism, Pre-School Playgroups, Tapes for the Handicapped and the Young People's Counselling Service.[6] In 2001, they were sold by the council and converted for use as private dwellings before being sold on the open market.[7][8]

References

1. "WYNARD'S HOSPITAL, Non Civil Parish - 1239565 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
2. "Wynard's Chapel, c1815, Exeter - Devon and Exeter Institution". collectionsexplorer.devonandexeterinstitution.org. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
3. "Exeter Memories - Wynards Almshouses". www.exetermemories.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
4. "Wynard's Hospital and Almshouses, Exeter - Graces Guide". gracesguide.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
5. "Wynard's Hospital, Magdalen Street, Exeter, Devon | Educational Images | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
6. "exeter local history society - 2015.02.12: Wynards Almshouses". www.exeterlocalhistorysociety.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
7. "A Bird's Eye View of Wynards Hospital, Exeter (drawing)". Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
8. Cooper, Joel (2 February 2020). "STUNNING chapel for sale in Exeter city centre for just £185,000". Devon Live. Retrieved 9 February 2025.