Abbot Hospital is said to be ‘arguably the finest historic building in Guildford’ and was founded in 1619 by George Abbot, the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time. It is also sometimes referred to as the Hospital of the Blessed Trinity.
The Hospital of the Blessed Trinity followed the model of the Whitgift Foundation, Croydon, started in 1596 by John Whitgift and was designed along the lines of an Oxford College complete with gatehouse, hall and Chapel. It was built using the finest quality materials by renowned craftsmen and in April 1619 Abbot laid the first stone of the Hospital himself. Bricks and tiles were purchased from nearby Cranleigh and timber from Chiddingfold was selected by Peter Warwick, the chief builder. On Abbot’s 60th birthday, 29 October 1622, the first residents moved into the Hospital which was granted a royal charter by King James VI.
According to Abbot, the building was a gift “out of my love to the place of my birth”, a loving gesture to his hometown of Guildford. Initially the building was not intended to be hospital in the modern sense of the word, merely a place to provide shelter for the elderly poor of the town. At the time the poor of the town in the building comprised of 12 single men and 8 single women, all under the care of a resident Master.
400 years after the first residents of the town moved into the hospital, it continues to be a place of accommodation in the town centre, offering a sociable and supportive environment for the local elderly people.
The building itself is magnificent; a picturesque, Jacobean Grade 1 listed construction. It is situated opposite the Holy Trinity Church where Abbot is buried and also in close proximity to his memorial statue at the junction of the upper High Street.
The hospital offers up to 28 residents the opportunity to live an independent, social and supportive life right in the heart of the town. With scheduled regular activities, coffee mornings and occasional outings; this establishment really signifies the true value of community. Initially Abbot’s Hospital only accommodated single people but a new block was built within the grounds in 1984 making it possible for couples. There are now 12 flats for single people and 8 double flats for couples.
Conservation and restoration has been done to the 400 year old architecture, it became apparent that the Grade 1 listed buildings and many of the artefacts within it were subjected to wear and tear from the years gone by. Works such as restoration to the main gates, refurbishments to all living accommodation and repairs to the roof turrets had to be done. Also the changes were needed to meet the modern day standards for the care of the elderly.
Administering the hospital are the Abbot’s Hospital Trustee Company in accordance with the Hospital of the Blessed Trinity (Guildford) Charity Scheme Confirmation Act, 1953 and Schemes of 18 February 1965 and 20 December 1985, as amended by Schemes of 29 May 1991 and 1 February 2007.
With a charismatic and welcoming slogan as ‘Making History Today’ Abbot’s Hospital offers a range of opportunities for people to relish in this lustrous building. The main gate is open from Monday to Saturday between 9am – 4pm and weekday tours are from 11am (May – September). No booking necessary, £3 per person and under 16s get to go free – starting at the Common Hall to the Chapel and if the weather permits, a visit to the top of the Gatehouse. The tour lasts about 45 minutes. The hospital is also open for group tours, school visits, open days and special events.
The venue can also be hired for a reception, corporate events or seminars. The Common Hall contains 17th century refectory furniture capable of accommodating 40 people standing.
Ade Lawal