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The Lord Leycester Hospital is situated in the
centre of Warwick on the High Street. Some parts
date back as far as 1383, many to the early 1400s.
Luckily enough the Great Fire of Warwick missed this
building, but only just. Although called a "hospital" the
buildings were used as retirement homes for soldiers
who were injured whilst fighting for Queen Elizabeth
I or had simply become aged. The master behind the
plan was Lord Leycester, the Earl of Leicester, Lord
Dudley.
The "hospital" was set up in 1571 using estates
endowed to it for finances. It was run by the Master
who would organise the administration of the houses
for the 12 families in residence. Unlike many things
in life the Lord Leycester Hospital was to remain
the same for the next 383 years. |
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The running of the Lord Leycester
Hospital was reorganized in 1954 due to financial
difficulties. The existing charter was replaced by a
Board of Governors and the main source of income was
to be from entrance fees from visitors and
donations.
To encourage this business model, the hospital
was sympathetically modernised and the number of
resident families was reduced to 8. The resident
families (called the Brethren), still retired from the armed forces,
administer the daily tasks being responsible to the
Board of Governors. |
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The Lord Leycester Hospital is a key tourist
attraction for Warwick. It is really several
attractions rolled into one. The primary attraction
is the building itself. Dating back to the 1400s,
the timbered houses are a spectacular sight. The
Courtyard is nationally renowned for attracting
artists,
click here for pictures and description. The
Chapel (the first building which you will visit) has
walls which date back to 1383,
click here
for pictures and more information.
The Great Hall and the Guild Hall have parts which
date back to the late 1300s. The Guild Hall was
constructed under the supervision of Neville the
"Kingmaker" in 1450.
Click here
for historical details and current pictures. The
gardens at Leycester Hospital are worth a visit on
their own behalf. From the historical Master's
Garden to the recent Millennium Knot Garden, there's
lots to see here.
Click here
for more information and pictures. |
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR LORD LEYCESTER HOSPITAL
Official Website
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Click here |
| Location |
High Street, Warwick CV34 4BH.
Click here for a map
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| Opening Hours |
Tuesday to Sunday (including Bank Holidays)
Summer 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Winter 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
The Regimental Museum of the Queen's Own Hussars is
additionally closed on Sundays
The Master's Garden is open from Easter day until 30
September
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| Entrance Charges |
Adults £4.90
Concessions £4.40
Children £3.90
Garden Only (Easter day until 30 September) £2.00
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| Disabled Access |
Many parts are NOT accessible by wheelchair. Not
recommended for wheelchair users. Access to the
Guild Hall, the Museum of the Queen's Own Hussars
and the Chapel are via stairs. |
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