The Hospital of St. Cross was founded by Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester and grandson of William the Conqueror in 1136. It is one of the oldest continuing almshouses in England. It was to house 13 frail men who were unable to work and feed 100 daily. Later in the 15th century the Almshouse of Nobel Poverty was set up and the name was combined.
You start off at the Porter’s Lodge where you’re given a rundown of the site and buy your entrance ticket. The almshouses themselves are off limits because they are to this day still the homes of 25 elderly men, known as Brothers, but you are able to visit the chapel, gardens and the Brethren’s Hall.
I first went through to the gardens. This was a nice open space with some benches and a pond which I was pleasantly surprised to see contained some fish.
From the gardens I then headed into the chapel or Church of St Cross. Built from stone from Caen in France, Dorset and the Isle of Wright as well as flint from local chalk pits in 1135 it wasn’t fully completed until nearly 200 years later. It’s used by the Brothers every day and also some of the local parishioners whose own church burned down in 1507.
It was bigger inside than I had been expecting and a little warren like. There was as to be expected some lovely stained glass windows.
From here I went into the Brethren’s Hall. Built in the 1300s originally for the Master of the hospital this is where Brothers would have eaten; they still do today on special occasions. The entrance to the hall is on the left of the picture below.
You can also find the old kitchen in the hall which they updated in 1860.
As per ancient tradition you can if you so wish ask at the Porter’s Lodge for the “Wayfarer’s Dole”. This is a cup of beer and a piece of bread. I didn’t take part myself, but the porter did offer me the choice.
The price of admission for an adult is £7.50. You can reach the Hospital via the Keat’s Walk as I did or catch a bus from Winchester which stops nearby. Parking is available but spots are limited.
There are tours of the tower available to book – I came too late in the day to take one. You can also book guided tours throughout the site. There is a small tearooms and tables available before the Porter’s Lodge entrance as well as a toilet block.
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