Beamsley Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beamsley Hospital |
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| Landmark Trust | |
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Almshouses
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| Geography | |
| Location | Skipton, North Yorkshire, England |
| Organisation | |
| Funding | Non-profit hospital |
| Patron | Lady Margaret Russell |
| Services | |
| Emergency department | No |
| History | |
| Founded | 1593 |
| Closed | 1970s |
Beamsley Hospital is a special old building near Skipton in North Yorkshire, England. It was built in 1593 by a kind lady named Lady Margaret Russell. She wanted to create a home for 13 poor widows. These homes were known as almshouses, which are places built to help people who need support.
Lady Margaret planned for a "Mother" and 12 "Sisters" to live there. Sadly, she passed away in 1616 before all the buildings were finished. Her daughter, Lady Anne Clifford, continued her mother's work. Lady Anne added more parts to the hospital so that more local widows who didn't have much money could have a place to live.
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What is Beamsley Hospital?
Beamsley Hospital was not a hospital like we know today, where doctors treat sick people. Instead, it was a place where people in need, especially widows, could live and be cared for. It was a bit like a community home or a charity house.
The Unique Design
The main part of Beamsley Hospital, called the north range, is very unusual. It's shaped like a circle! Imagine two stone drums, one inside the other. The inner drum goes up higher than the rest of the building. This inner part has windows that let sunlight into a chapel right in the middle of the building.
Around the outside of this circular building, there were rooms for the "Mother" and six "Sisters" to live. It was a clever design that brought light into the chapel and provided living spaces.
The South Range
Close by, there's another part of Beamsley Hospital called the south range. This building is two stories tall and has a long front with seven sections. At one end, there are three smaller units, each with one story. This part was added later to provide even more homes for widows.
History and Modern Use
Beamsley Hospital was used as a home for widows for a very long time, right up until the 1970s. After that, the people in charge of the hospital decided to pass it on to a special group called the Landmark Trust in 1983.
The Landmark Trust's Role
The Landmark Trust is a charity that saves important historic buildings. They carefully fixed up and protected Beamsley Hospital. Now, instead of being homes for widows, these historic buildings are available for people to rent as unique holiday accommodation. This helps keep the buildings in good condition and allows many people to experience their history.
Protecting History: Listed Buildings
Beamsley Hospital is considered a very important historical site in England.
- The north wing, which is the circular building with the chapel, is a Grade I listed building. This means it's a building of exceptional interest and is very important to England's history.
- The south wing, which is the two-story almshouse block, is a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a particularly important building of more than special interest.
Being "listed" helps protect these buildings so they can be enjoyed and studied for many years to come.
Images for kids
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Logo of Beamsley Hospital
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The front of Beamsley Hospital
