About

Built in 1702, for 'decayed' fishermen, these splendid Almshouses are at the north end of the marketplace. Presentations will be given on the history of the building at 1100 and 1400 each day we are open. A cottage will also be open to view.

The historic Oval Plaques, on the right and left of the main gate are an interesting read on the rules for the beneficiaries as well as the donations made to maintain this almshouse. What you see in the courtyard today is in fact almost exactly as it looked over 300 years ago. The 20 doors led to 20 individual cottages at that time. The door would open into one room on the ground floor with a large fireplace for cooking and heating and either a spiral staircase or a ladder leading up to an attic room which probably had hammocks hanging from the eaves for sleeping. There was a water pump and earth closet privy in the yard. This might seem uncomfortable to most, however, compared to what the fishermen had been used to, the Hospital was luxury to them. The bench beneath the plaque is a copy of the one which was on the opposite side and this is shown in an old painting, a copy of which is on show in number 8. The statue of Charity in the middle of the yard is the first and only freestanding statue in the town. The cupola above is home to Saint Peter, Patron Saint of Fishermen, he is made of wood. The coal houses through the archway are used as storage today.

You can reserve a place for the talks online via our website Go to: https://fishermenshospital.org.uk/open-days/schedule/
Talks are held in the courtyard at 11:00 and 14:00 on our Open Days. The talk lasts around 20 minutes. Pre-registration is from 1st August available until the day before each Open Day

Pushchair/pram and wheelchair access outside only.

Part of Heritage Open Days.