The Hext Almshouses
Introduction
The photograph on this page of The Hext Almshouses by Neil Owen as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
There are currently over 7.5m images from over 14,400 individuals and you can help contribute to the project by visiting https://www.geograph.org.uk
The Hext Almshouses
Image: © Neil Owen Taken: 28 Jul 2022
One of Somerton's older buildings are a gift bestowed on the town by a rich benefactor, Sir Edward Hext, in 1626. He laid the plans for eight homes for eight poor men who were unable to work, and so were paid coal and a monthly cash payment to live there. In return they had to attend church every Sunday, or they were fined part of their monthly money. Sadly Hext died before they were completed; his widow took on the running. In 1883 the rooms were considered inadequate and rebuilt for just four occupants. The almshouses were refurbished in 1967 and a new set of three rooms were added to the rear of the site in 1983.
Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Image Location
Latitude
51.05364
Longitude
-2.731862