Listed Building record MDO12233 - Daniel Taylor's Almshouses, 95 South Street, Bridport

The almshouses, together with the Friends' Meeting House form a small courtyard off the east side of South Street, Bridport and were given by Daniel Taylor in 1697. The almshouses comprise a west range on the South Street frontage, built in the 15th century and a north range built in the 16th century. The buildings are of two storeys and of rubble stone with slate roofs. A number of original beams and roof timbers still survive internally.

The almshouses, together with the Friends' Meeting House form a small courtyard off the east side of South Street, Bridport. The almshouses were given by Daniel Taylor to trustees in 1697, together with the adjoining Meeting House given to the Society of Friends. The almshouses comprise a west range on the South Street frontage, built in the 15th century and a north range built in the 16th century. The buildings are of two storeys and of rubble stone with slate roofs. There is a round-headed entrance in the west range leading through to the courtyard. The east end of the north range has a stone newel staircase approached by a 16th century stone doorway with a four-centred head. There is a pump dated 1814 in the courtyard. (1)

Internally, the northern part of the west range originally formed one room and has late 15th-century moulded wall plates and central beam, with carved paterae. It is sub-divided by 17th century panelled partitions. There is an original roof truss with curved braces and curved wind-braces in the upper storey. The north range has some 16th century moulded ceiling beams. A blocked contemporary fireplace survives on the upper floor and parts of the roof trusses and some curved wind braces are exposed. (1)

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 46-48 (Monograph). SDO97.

<2> Department of the Environment, 1975, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: District of West Dorset (Bridport area) (Scheduling record). SDO16417.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2024 11:09AM