The Hospital of St Cross & Almshouse of Noble Poverty, Winchester. Crafting a bench built to belong
Posted on January 08, 2026
Tucked just outside the historic city of Winchester sits The Hospital of St Cross & Almshouse of Noble Poverty, one of England’s oldest charitable institutions and a place where history is not only preserved, but quietly lived every day.
Founded in the 1130s, the Hospital of St Cross has been providing care, shelter and dignity to those in need for nearly nine centuries. Despite its name, this is not a hospital in the modern medical sense. Instead, it is an almshouse: a place of hospitality and support, created to offer a simple, honourable life to its residents, traditionally known as the Brothers of Noble Poverty.
A living piece of history
The Hospital was established to care for the poor, elderly and vulnerable at a time long before state welfare systems existed. Its ethos was — and remains — rooted in humility, charity and continuity. That sense of continuity is palpable as you walk through the grounds: medieval stonework, flint and brick walls, tranquil gardens, a chapel, and the gentle presence of the River Itchen nearby.
One of the Hospital’s most enduring traditions is the Wayfarer’s Dole, where travellers may still receive bread and ale if they ask at the gate — a small but powerful reminder that generosity here is not a performance for visitors, but a lived value.
The Hospital today
In modern times, the Hospital of St Cross continues to function as a place of residence and reflection. It remains an active charitable community, while also welcoming visitors who come to learn about its history, explore the gardens, and experience the calm that the site offers. It is not a museum frozen in time, but a working institution that carefully balances heritage with present-day use.
The gardens in particular play an important role in this. Spaces like The Master’s Garden are places for quiet contemplation, conversation and connection — areas that invite people to pause, sit, and take in their surroundings.
Click on the pictures to enlarge
Credits for the above pictures By Celuici and By Rinkydinkpanther
A bench made for its setting
We were honoured when the Hospital approached us at Woodcraft UK to create a bespoke bench for this remarkable setting. The brief was clear but challenging: a 3.5 metre long curved York bench, designed to sit naturally within The Master’s Garden, following the line of a curved flint and brick wall and looking out across the hospital grounds towards the pond and chapel.
This was not a bench to shout for attention. It needed to feel as though it had always belonged there — functional, robust, and quietly respectful of its surroundings.
We designed and built the bench to echo the gentle curve of the wall, allowing it to nestle comfortably into the landscape. Once complete, we delivered and installed it on site, where it now offers a place to sit, reflect, and enjoy one of the most beautiful viewpoints within the Hospital grounds.
Click on the pictures to enlarge
A fitting result
Seeing the bench in situ — framed by historic masonry, overlooking the water and chapel — was a genuine privilege for us. We were delighted to hear that the team at the Hospital are thrilled with the result, and we’re grateful to have received photographs and a video showing the bench in its new home.
Projects like this are why we do what we do. Creating furniture that serves a purpose is important; creating something that respects history, craftsmanship and place is something else entirely. To contribute, in a small way, to a site with nearly 900 years of continuous charitable life is something we’re immensely proud of.
If you ever visit the Hospital of St Cross, we encourage you to spend a moment in The Master’s Garden. Sit, look out across the grounds, and enjoy a bench built for exactly that purpose.
If you would like any more information regarding our curved benches or bespoke bench service then feel free to give us a call on 01482 887921 or click the links below.
If you want to find out more about The Hospital of St Cross & Almshouse of Noble Poverty then here are a few links to their website and social media:
Website: https://hospitalofstcross.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hospitalofstcross_winchester/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HospitalofStCrossWinchester
