The Alms House

The historic environment team at TEP were instructed to undertake a programme of historic building survey to Historic England Level 3 at the Grade II Listed Alms House, Sutton Cheney, ahead of refurbishment works.

The building as founded in 1612 by Sir William Roberts, one of the freeholders of Sutton Cheney whose tomb is located in the adjacent church. The Alms House was founded to accommodate six elderly and infirm people and comprised a one and half storied stone range which was divided into six residences. The building included an interesting feature, a series of pigeon or dove nesting holes built into the south gable. Archaeological recording demonstrated that the building was repaired and altered in 1811 at which time the principal elevation was raised in brick. The Alms House demonstrated characteristic features of Alms Houses of the period and was a good example of this type of architecture.