Topics > Landmarks, Parks and Buildings > Almshouses
Almshouses
Almshouses (in the past sometimes called a 'poorhouse', 'hospital', 'bedehouse') are charitable housing, providing accommodation for poor and elderly people who could not otherwise afford to rent. In the UK, almshouses can be traced as far back as the 10th century. Many of the buildings are now private residences or serve other purposes - though today there are still 1,700 groups of almshouse charities in the UK, providing homes for over 35,000 people, over 30% of the residences are historic listed buildings[1]. Examples of historic almshouses in the North East of England include those established on a religious basis, such as the Hospital of God at Greatham (established 1273) and the Holy Jesus Hospital in Newcastle (established 1682). There were also almshouses built by estate owners, such as Armstrong Cottages in Rothbury, and the Methold Houses at Beamish. Others were built by professions/guilds/unions, such as Keelman Hospital built for the keelmen of Newcastle and their families (established 1701), and also Miners Welfare cottages.
![](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2669/4091106060_13abd231d7_z.jpg)
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
070723:Almhouses Newburn Unknown Undated
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/26/50/265093_73401963.jpg)
from Geograph (geograph)
Jacob Wright Almshouse : (dated 1885) Swan Street : Evenwood
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![Hospital of God, Greatham](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/01/57/75/1577540_8a3936fc.jpg)
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Hospital of God, Greatham
- Overview Map Street View Former almshouse, now residences for the elderly. This is a Grade 2 listed building. The Hospital of God was originally founded by the Bishop of Durham, Robert …
![Methold Houses, Beamish](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/01/15/45/1154571_9ef16a9a.jpg)
  Co-Curate Page
Methold Houses, Beamish
- Overview Map Street View Almshouses inscribed "1863 BUILT AND ENDOWED BY JOHN EDEN". The houses are Grade II Listed.
![Keelman's Hospital](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/01/41/50/1415083_b6ecfb04.jpg)
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Keelman's Hospital
- Overview Map Street View Keelmen’s Hospital on City Road in Newcastle was built in 1701. It was built by the keelmen of Newcastle as an alms house for sick and …
![](/static/img/External_Website.png)
from http://www.almshouses.org/
National Association of Almshouses
- "Almshouses have been part of this country's life for many generations and they continue to play a crucial role today in providing accommodation for those in need throughout the United …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
![Armstrong Cottages](https://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/04/79/36/4793686_5c83b5ca.jpg)
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Armstrong Cottages
- Overview Map Street View Twelve almshouses, located off Town Foot in Rothbury, dated 1896. With a plaque inscribed "Erected by WILLIAM GEORGE BARON ARMSTRONG of Cragside in Memory of ANNE …
![Old Low Light](https://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/05/94/37/5943784_68d23b3a.jpg)
  Co-Curate Page
Old Low Light
- Overview Map Street View The Old Low Light is a heritage centre and cafe located at the Fish Quay in North Shields. It was originally built as a lighthouse in …
![](/static/img/loading.gif)
![](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2669/4091106060_13abd231d7_z.jpg)
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
070723:Almhouses Newburn Unknown Undated
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/26/50/265093_73401963.jpg)
from Geograph (geograph)
Jacob Wright Almshouse : (dated 1885) Swan Street : Evenwood
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![Hospital of God, Greatham](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/01/57/75/1577540_8a3936fc.jpg)
  Co-Curate Page
Hospital of God, Greatham
- Overview Map Street View Former almshouse, now residences for the elderly. This is a Grade 2 listed building. The Hospital of God was originally founded by the Bishop of Durham, Robert …
![Methold Houses, Beamish](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/01/15/45/1154571_9ef16a9a.jpg)
  Co-Curate Page
Methold Houses, Beamish
- Overview Map Street View Almshouses inscribed "1863 BUILT AND ENDOWED BY JOHN EDEN". The houses are Grade II Listed.
![Keelman's Hospital](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/01/41/50/1415083_b6ecfb04.jpg)
  Co-Curate Page
Keelman's Hospital
- Overview Map Street View Keelmen’s Hospital on City Road in Newcastle was built in 1701. It was built by the keelmen of Newcastle as an alms house for sick and …
![](/static/img/External_Website.png)
from http://www.almshouses.org/
National Association of Almshouses
- "Almshouses have been part of this country's life for many generations and they continue to play a crucial role today in providing accommodation for those in need throughout the United …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
![Armstrong Cottages](https://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/04/79/36/4793686_5c83b5ca.jpg)
  Co-Curate Page
Armstrong Cottages
- Overview Map Street View Twelve almshouses, located off Town Foot in Rothbury, dated 1896. With a plaque inscribed "Erected by WILLIAM GEORGE BARON ARMSTRONG of Cragside in Memory of ANNE …
![Old Low Light](https://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/05/94/37/5943784_68d23b3a.jpg)